Final answer:
Adduction of the arytenoids involves the medial movement of the arytenoid cartilages, which allows the vocal cords to vibrate and produce sound. This movement is opposite to abduction, where the arytenoids move apart to open the vocal folds for breathing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the adduction movement of the arytenoid cartilages in the larynx. The arytenoids are a pair of small cartilages in the larynx, the movement of which affects vocal cord function. Adduction of the arytenoids involves the movement of these cartilages toward each other.
Due to the muscular attachments, when the muscles contract, the arytenoids rotate and move together, thus bringing the vocal cords together. This action is critical for voice production as it allows the vocal cords to vibrate and produce sound when air passes through them.
Specifically, this adduction movement refers to the medial motion that occurs within the coronal plane and typically involves the lateral cricoarytenoid and transverse arytenoid muscles.
When these muscles contract, they pull the arytenoid cartilages toward the midline of the larynx, which is essential for speech and other vocalizations. This is different from abduction, where the arytenoids move apart, opening the vocal folds for breathing.