tilage articulate with the cricoid cartilage at
special facets that allow the thyroid cartilage to tilt or glide anteriorly or posteriorly
in a visor-like manner.
The Cricoid Cartilage (p. 838)
- The cricoid (G. ring) is shaped like a signet ring with
its band facing anteriorly.
- The posterior (signet) part of the cricoid is called the lamina
and the anterior (band) part is termed the arch.
- Although it is much smaller than the thyroid cartilage, the cricoid is thicker and
- It is located at the level of C6 vertebra.
- It is the most inferior of the cartilages of the larynx.
- The cricoid forms the inferior parts of the anterior and lateral walls and most of the
posterior wall of the larynx.
- The cricoid cartilage is attached to the inferior margin of the thyroid cartilage by the
cricothyroid ligaments and to the first tracheal ring by
the cricotracheal ligament.
The Arytenoid Cartilages
- These paired cartilages are shaped like three-side pyramids.
- They articulate with the lateral parts of the superior border of the lamina of the
- Each cartilage has an apex superiorly, a vocal process anteriorly, and a muscular
- The apex is attached to the aryepiglottic fold, the vocal process to the vocal ligament,
and the muscular process to the posterior and lateral cricoarytenoid muscles.
Corniculate and Cuneiform Cartilages (pp. 838, 841)
- These are small cartilaginous nodules.
- They are in the posterior part of the aryepiglottic folds.
- These cartilages are attached to the apices of the arytenoid cartilages.
- The cuneiform (L. wedge-shaped) cartilages lie in the aryepiglottic folds and are
approximated to the tubercle of the epiglottis when the inlet of the larynx is closed
The Epiglottic Cartilage
- This is a thin piece of cartilage that is shaped like a leaf or a bicycle saddle.
- It gives flexibility to the epiglottis.
- It is situated posterior to the root of the tongue and hyoid bone and anterior to the
inlet of the larynx.
- The epiglottic cartilage forms the superior part of the anterior wall and the superior
margin of the inlet of the larynx.
- Its broad superior end is free, and its tapered inferior end is attached to the
thyroepiglottic ligament, located in the angle formed by the thyroid laminae.
- The anterior surface of the epiglottic cartilage is attached to the hyoid bone by the hyoepiglottic ligament.
- The inferior part of the posterior surface of the epiglottic cartilage that projects
posteriorly is called the epiglottic tubercle.
Joints of the Larynx
The Cricothyroid Joints (p.
- These articulations are located between the facets on the lateral surfaces of the
cricoid cartilage and the inferior horns of the thyroid cartilage.
- Each joint has a fibrous capsule, which is lined by a synovial membrane.
- The main movements at these joints are rotating and gliding of the thyroid cartilage.
- These movements result in the change in the length of the vocal folds.
- They also slacken or tighten the vocal ligaments, which pass between the arytenoid
cartilages and the thyroid cartilage.
The Cricoarytenoid Joints
- These articulations are located between the bases of the arytenoid cartilages and the
superior sloping surfaces of the lamina of the cricoid cartilage.
- These joints permit the following movements of the arytenoid cartilages: (1) sliding
toward or away from one another; (2) tilting anteriorly and posteriorly; and (3) rotary
- These movements are important in approximating, tensing, and relaxing the vocal folds.
Ligaments and Membranes
The Thyrohyoid Membrane (p.
- This is an extrinsic membrane that connects the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone,
thereby suspending the larynx.
- It is separated from the posterior surface of the body of the hyoid by a bursa.
- Its thicker median part is called the medial thyrohyoid ligament
and its thickened lateral parts are called the lateral thyrohyoid
- The lateral ligaments connect the tips of the superior horns of the thyroid cartilage to
the tips of the greater horn of the hyoid bone.
Cricothyroid and Cricotracheal Ligaments (p. 841)
- These ligaments connect