Cricoid cartilage

The cricoid cartilage (Latin cricoid cartilage ), together with the thyroid cartilage, the two arytenoid cartilages and the epiglottis ( epiglottis ) the laryngeal skeleton. It is composed of hyaline cartilage, is formed as a seal ring, forming the bottom, nearest the trachea portion of the laryngeal skeleton.

The anterior structure cricoid arch ( arcus cartilaginis cricoideae ) thickens back to a cricoid plate (lamina cartilaginis cricoideae ). The cricoid plate carries a central bar ( Crista median ) and on each side a joint surface ( articular facies arytenoidea ) for connection to the arytenoid cartilage. On Plate Ring junction on each side a joint surface ( articular facies thyroid ) is for connecting to the thyroid cartilage.

The cricoid cartilage is connected both by the mentioned joints and over (ligamentum cricothyroid, ligament cricoarytenoideum ) with the adjacent cartilage parts. On cricoid various laryngeal muscles are attached:

• Musculus posterior cricoarytenoid ( called with animals muscle cricoarytenoid dorsalis)
• Muscle cricoarytenoid lateralis
• Musculus cricothyroideus

Cricothyrotomy

When Cricothyrotomy the keys of the cricoid cartilage serves as a guide for the puncture or incision through the cricothyroid ligament.