cricoarytenoid joint cricoarytenoid joint the cricoarytenoid joint is a joint connecting the cricoid cartilage and the arytenoid cartilage. it is a very shallow ball-and-socket joint. it allows for rotation and gliding motion. this controls the abduction and adduction of the vocal cords. cricoarytenoid jointmuscles of the larynx, seen from above.muscles of larynx. side view. right lamina of thyroid cartilage removed.detailssystemlarynxidentifierslatinarticulatio cricoarytaenoideata98a06.2.04.014ta21667fma55102anatomical terminology structure the cricoarytenoid joint is a very shallow ball-and-socket joint. function the cricoarytenoid joint allows for rotation and gliding motion. the extent of rotation is significant, while the extent of gliding is limited. the cricoarytenoid joint controls the abduction and adduction of the vocal cords. it is moved by many of the intrinsic muscles of the larynx. history the cricoarytenoid joint was first described by galen.