The arytenoid cartilage is attached to the cricoid cartilage by small tough ligaments to form what is known as a saddle joint allowing rotation from side to side mainly about its long axis. Because the superior aspect of the posterior cricoid lamina slopes downwards the arytenoid cartilage rotates in a complex way such that the vocal process moves inwards and downwards during phonation and outwards and upwards during breathing. The arytenoids can also tilt forwards and backwards and slide along the length of the cricoarytenoid joint all of which allow fine tuning of the positioning and shaping of the vocal folds and epiglottic funnel both in speaking and singing.