[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) › Cricoid cartilage [Skeletal system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/skeletal-system/) · [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) # Cricoid cartilage The cricoid cartilage is a ring-shaped cartilage just below the Adam's apple, the only complete ring in the airway; it forms the base of the larynx (voice box). [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=head_neck&select=cricoid_cartilage&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is A signet-ring-shaped cartilage below the thyroid cartilage, the only complete ring in the airway. ## What it does Forms the base of the larynx; the arytenoids sit on top of it. ## Key points - In children the cricoid ring is the narrowest rigid part of the airway, so a tight tracheal tube can cause subglottic swelling and later stenosis - Cricoid pressure (Sellick manoeuvre) presses it back against the oesophagus to try to limit regurgitation at induction; its benefit is debated and it can worsen the laryngoscopic view - Narrow arch in front, tall lamina behind: the lamina carries the [arytenoid cartilages](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/arytenoid-cartilage/), the arch is the lower edge of the cricothyroid membrane ## Key facts **Where** C6; only complete cartilage ring of the airway (signet-ring shape) **Function** Base for the arytenoids; landmark where the [pharynx](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pharynx/) becomes the oesophagus and the larynx the [trachea](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/trachea/) ## Relations **Above** [Thyroid cartilage](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thyroid-cartilage/), joined in front by the [cricothyroid membrane](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/median-cricothyroid-ligament/) and at the sides by the synovial [cricothyroid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/oblique-part-of-cricothyroid-muscle/) joints with its inferior horns **Below** First tracheal ring, attached by the cricotracheal ligament **Behind** [Posterior cricoarytenoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/musculus-cricoarytenoideus-posterior/) muscles on the lamina, then the start of the oesophagus with the cricopharyngeus **In front** Cricothyroid muscles on the arch; the isthmus of the [thyroid gland](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thyroid-gland/) lies just below, over the upper tracheal rings **Lateral** Lobes of the thyroid gland; the [recurrent laryngeal nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/recurrent-laryngeal-nerve/) enters the larynx just behind the cricothyroid joint ## How to find it Running a finger down the midline from the thyroid notch, the soft dip of the cricothyroid membrane comes first, then the firm ring of the cricoid arch just below it; it rises on swallowing. ## On imaging Lateral neck radiograph and CT: marks the start of the trachea. In croup the frontal radiograph shows tapering of the subglottic airway (steeple sign); in subglottic stenosis CT or endoscopy shows narrowing at the cricoid ring. ## Clinical notes - Tracheostomy is made below it, usually through the second to fourth tracheal rings; cutting or eroding the cricoid risks subglottic stenosis - Subglottic stenosis, congenital or after prolonged intubation, centres on this ring - Fracture in blunt neck trauma (e.g. a clothesline injury) can collapse the airway and injure the recurrent laryngeal nerves ## Development Forms from the cartilage of the sixth pharyngeal arch, like the arytenoids; its hyaline cartilage calcifies and ossifies patchily from early adult life, which can be mistaken for a swallowed foreign body on a neck radiograph. ## Related conditions - [Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/croup/) - [Cri-du-chat syndrome (5p deletion)](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/cri-du-chat-syndrome/) - [Laryngeal cancer](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/laryngeal-cancer/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Why is the cricoid cartilage important when intubating children? Its ring is the narrowest rigid part of the paediatric airway, so a tight tube can cause subglottic swelling and later stenosis. ## What is cricoid pressure (Sellick manoeuvre), and what are its drawbacks? Pressing the cricoid back against the oesophagus to limit regurgitation at induction; its benefit is debated and it can worsen the laryngoscopic view. ## What is unique about the cricoid cartilage among airway cartilages? It is the only complete cartilage ring of the airway (signet-ring shape), at C6. ## Why is a tracheostomy made below the cricoid cartilage? Cutting or eroding the cricoid risks subglottic stenosis; it is usually made through the second to fourth tracheal rings. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/cricoid-cartilage/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** cartilago cricoidea TA2 978 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Cartílago Cricoides DeCS D003413 **English (TA2)** Cricoid cartilage **Also called** cartilago cricoides ## Related - [Thyroid gland](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thyroid-gland/) - [Thyroid cartilage](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thyroid-cartilage/) - [Cricothyroid membrane](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/median-cricothyroid-ligament/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=3431&filter=ths_termall&q=Cricoid%20Cartilage); [Anatomy, Head and Neck, Cricoid Cartilage](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539821/); [Anatomy, Head and Neck: Larynx Cartilage](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553185/); Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): The Branchial Region (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain. ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cricoid-cartilage/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cricoid-cartilage/