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Which muscles open the airway and abduct the vocal cords?
Posterior cricoarytenoids
Oblique/transverse arytenoids
Cricothyroid
Genioglossus
The correct answer is: Posterior cricoarytenoids
The posterior cricoarytenoids are the muscles responsible for opening the airway and abducting the vocal cords. The oblique/transverse arytenoids, cricothyroid, and genioglossus do not play a role in opening the airway or abducting the vocal cords. The oblique/transverse arytenoids are responsible for adducting the vocal cords. The cricothyroid is responsible for tensioning and elongating the vocal cords. The genioglossus is responsible for moving the tongue. Therefore, these muscles do not open the airway or abduct the vocal cords.