Thyroid and Cricoid Cartilages of the Larynx

Author: Scott A. Sheffield MS

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The largest laryngeal cartilage is the thyroid cartilage. [ image descriptionAnterior view/ image descriptionLateral view/ image descriptionPosterior view ]

thyroid cartilage on anterior view
thyroid cartilage on lateral view
Thyroid Cartilage on posterior view
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  • It consists of two plates of hyaline cartilage and that is shaped like a wedge. The plates are separated posteriorly and fused anteriorly. At the top of the fused border, the thyroid cartilage extends anteriorly, forming the laryngeal prominence or “Adam’s apple”.

Laryngeal Prominence on lateral view

  • Superior to the thyroid cartilage is the hyoid bone, which is connected to the larynx by the thyrohyoid membrane.
  • The hyoid bone is u-shaped and primarily serves as an attachment point for the tongue muscles. [ image descriptionAnterior view/ image descriptionLateral view/ image descriptionPosterior view ]
The hyoid bone anterior view
The hyoid bone on lateral view
posterior view on the larynx with the hyoid bone labeled.
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  • Inferior to the thyroid cartilage is the ring-shaped cricoid cartilage.
  • Like the thyroid cartilage, the cricoid cartilage is composed of hyaline cartilage. The anterior portion of the cricoid cartilage is narrow and referred to as the arch. The broad posterior portion is called the lamina and forms much of the larynx back wall.
  • Superior to the lamina is arytenoid cartilages, which attach to the vocal cords. [ image descriptionAnterior view/ image descriptionLateral view/ image descriptionPosterior view ]

Have you been making any of these common anatomy learning mistakes?

The cricoid cartilage on anterior view
The cricoid cartilage on lateral view
The cricoid cartilage on posterior view
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The trachea on lateral view
The trachea on posterior view
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An Overview of the Thyroid and Cricoid Cartilages of the Larynx:

Anterior: image descriptionShow/image descriptionHide answers

Lateral: image descriptionShow/image descriptionHide answers

Posterior: image descriptionShow/image descriptionHide answers

Test Yourself on anterior view with answers hidden
Test Yourself on posterior view with answers hidden
Test Yourself on lateral view with answers hidden
Test Yourself on anterior view with answers shown
Test Yourself on posterior view with answers shown
Test Yourself on lateral view with answers shown
Swipe to show/ hide answers
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Test yourself:

Larynx Anatomy Quiz: Cartilages and Membranes

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