Explain Abductor Muscles

Abductor muscle is a muscle that serves to draw a part out, or from the median line (as the abductor oculi, which draws the eye outward).

Abductor muscles in the larynx contract in the beginning of inspiration, pulling the vocal cords apart. The epiglottis is opened. Epiglottis, as you already know, is the vocal apparatus of the larynx, the true vocal folds and the space between them where the voice tone is generated. But during the stage of swallowing, contraction of the abductor muscles closes the epiglottis and prevents the aspiration of food into the lungs.

So you can visualize how important these three muscles, described above, are in the process of respiration. The three muscles, together, help in the respiration process.