CRICOID CARTILAGE

Features :

• it encircles the larynx below the thyroid cartilage

• it consists of two parts

• the narrow anterior arch

  • The inferior cornua of the thyroid cartilage articulate with the side of the cricoid cartilage

• the posterior lamina

  • lamina project upwards behind thyroid cartilage and articulates superiorly with the arytenoid cartilage

Attachments :

• the anterior part of the arch - origin to the cricothyroid muscle

• anterolateral part of the arch - lateral cricoarytenoid muscle

• lamina of cricothyroid - posterior cricoarytenoid cartilage

posterior cricoarytenoid muscle is also known as "safety muscle".