Each of these prominent folds of mucous
membrane extends, antero-posteriorly, across the side wall of the laryngeal
cavity (see larynx). Each vestibular fold
is soft and rather flaccid, and its free border is slightly arched, with
the concavity looking downward. It contains: (1) the vestibular ligament,
a weak band of fibro-elastic tissue; (2) numerous mucous glands, which are
aggregated chiefly in its middle part; and (3) a few muscle fibers.
|Cavity of larynx, as seen with a laryngoscope during
quiet breathing – rima glottidis widely opened. Vestibular and
vocal folds can be seen
The space between the vestibular folds is called the rima vestibuli,
and is wider than that between the vocal
folds. It follows, therefore, that both pairs of folds are visible when
the cavity of the larynx is looked at from above.