Remarks on the Miisculus Kerato-Cricoideus. 137 
tendinous fibres being found at each of these extremities. The 
muscle appears to be developed in a direct relation to the 
other laryngeal muscles, for the largest example I have yet 
seen occurred in a larynx the muscles of which were unusually 
well formed, whilst the smallest example was found in a larynx 
a Inferior cornu of thyroid, h Cricoid cartilage, c Kerato-cricoid muscle, 
d Inferior laryngeal nerve. 
possessing comparatively feeble muscles ; afc the same time, it 
must be stated that its existence in a larynx is not necessarily 
coincident with a general laryngeal muscularity, as I have 
dissected more than one larynx in which no trace of Merkel's 
muscle could be found, although the other muscles were ex- 
tremely well developed. The inferior laryngeal nerve passes 
under, i.e., in front of, this muscle, and sends a small filament 
to it. The kerato-cricoideus must thus be classed amongst 
the occasional muscles of the larynx, and, like other occasional 
