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cartilago cricoidea
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The cartilages of the larynx Posterior view
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Cricoid+Cartilage
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The , or simply '''cricoid''' (from the Greek ''krikoeides'' meaning "ring-shaped"), is the only complete ring of
Cartilage around the
Trachea . It sits just inferior to the
Thyroid Cartilage in the
Neck , and is joined to it medially by the median
Cricothyroid Ligament and postero-laterally by the cricothyroid joints.
Inferior to it are the rings of cartilage around the trachea (which are not continuous - rather they are C-shaped with a gap posteriorly). The cricoid is joined to the first tracheal ring by the
Cricotracheal Ligament , and this can be felt as a more yielding area between the firm thyroid cartilage and firmer cricoid.
It is also anatomically related to the
Thyroid gland; although the thyroid
Isthmus is inferior to it, the two lobes of the thyroid extend superiorly on each side of the cricoid as far as the thyroid cartilage above it.
The
Posterior part of the cricoid is slightly broader than the anterior and lateral parts, and is called the
Lamina , while the
Anterior part is the band; this may be the reason for the common comparison made between the cricoid and a signet ring.
The function of the cricoid is to provide attachments for the various
Muscle s, cartilages, and
Ligament s involved in opening and closing the
Airway and in
Speech production.
It is made of hyaline cartilage, and so can become
Calcified or even
Ossified , particularly in old age.
