[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/) › Thyroid cartilage [Skeletal system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/skeletal-system/) · [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) # Thyroid cartilage The thyroid cartilage is the largest cartilage of the larynx (voice box); its front edge is the Adam's apple, and it shields the vocal folds. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=head_neck&select=thyroid_cartilage&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is The largest larynx cartilage; its front edge is the Adam's apple. ## What it does Shields the vocal folds, which attach to its inner angle. ## Key points - Two laminae meet in front at about 90° in men and about 120° in women, so the laryngeal prominence stands out more in men - The thyroid notch is the top landmark for finding the cricothyroid membrane; the [vocal folds](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vocal-fold/) attach to the inner angle about halfway down - Superior horns link to the hyoid bone by the lateral [thyrohyoid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thyrohyoid-muscle/) ligaments; inferior horns form the synovial cricothyroid joints, the pivot for pitch - The oblique line on each lamina takes the [sternothyroid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sternothyroid-muscle/), thyrohyoid and inferior pharyngeal constrictor ## Key facts **Where** Largest laryngeal cartilage at C4–C5; laryngeal prominence (Adam's apple) **Function** Shields the larynx; the vocal folds attach to its inner angle ## Relations **Above** [Hyoid bone](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/hyoid-bone/), joined by the [thyrohyoid membrane](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/median-thyrohyoid-ligament/) **Below** [Cricoid cartilage](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cricoid-cartilage/), by the [cricothyroid membrane](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/median-cricothyroid-ligament/) in front and the [cricothyroid](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/oblique-part-of-cricothyroid-muscle/) joints at the sides **Superficial** Infrahyoid (strap) muscles over the laminae; in the midline the prominence lies just under the [skin](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/skin/) **Lateral** Upper poles of the [thyroid gland](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thyroid-gland/) lobes and, further out, the [carotid sheath](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/carotid-sheath/) **Deep** Paraglottic space with the vocal and vestibular folds; the petiole of the [epiglottis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/epiglottis/) attaches behind the angle ## How to find it The laryngeal prominence and the V-shaped thyroid notch are felt in the front midline of the neck; following the laminae back, the superior horns are felt below the greater horns of the hyoid bone. The whole cartilage rises on swallowing. ## On imaging It ossifies unevenly from early adulthood, so on radiographs and CT its outline can look patchy; asymmetric ossification can mimic tumour invasion of the cartilage or a swallowed foreign body. ## Clinical notes - Laryngeal fracture from a blow to the front of the neck (sport, dashboard): hoarseness, pain, air under the skin and possible stridor - Medialisation thyroplasty places an implant through a window cut in the lamina to push a paralysed vocal fold to the midline - Reduction of the prominence (chondrolaryngoplasty, e.g. in gender-affirming surgery) keeps clear of the [anterior commissure](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-commissure/) attachment of the vocal folds ## Anatomical variants - A thyroid foramen in the upper part of one lamina, present in a minority, can let the superior laryngeal vessels enter the larynx through the cartilage instead of the thyrohyoid membrane ## Development From the cartilage of the fourth pharyngeal arch; the two laminae form separately and fuse in the midline. ## Related conditions - [Laryngeal cancer](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/laryngeal-cancer/) - [Vocal fold nodules, polyps and laryngitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/vocal-fold-nodules-polyps-and-laryngitis/) - [Relapsing polychondritis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/relapsing-polychondritis/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Why does the laryngeal prominence of the thyroid cartilage stand out more in men? The two laminae meet at about 90° in men and about 120° in women. ## Which thyroid cartilage landmark guides you to the cricothyroid membrane? The thyroid notch, the top landmark; the cricothyroid membrane lies between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages. ## Where do the vocal folds attach on the thyroid cartilage? To its inner angle, about halfway down. ## What are the signs of a thyroid cartilage fracture from a blow to the front of the neck? Hoarseness, pain, air under the skin and possible stridor. ## What does medialisation thyroplasty do through the thyroid cartilage? An implant is placed through a window cut in the lamina to push a paralysed vocal fold to the midline. [Add to my cards (5)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/thyroid-cartilage/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** cartilago thyreoidea TA2 967 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Cartílago Tiroides DeCS D013957 **English (TA2)** Thyroid cartilage **Also called** Adam's apple · cartilago thyreoides ## Related - [Cricoid cartilage](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/cricoid-cartilage/) - [Cricothyroid membrane](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/median-cricothyroid-ligament/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=14345&filter=ths_termall&q=Thyroid%20Cartilage); [Anatomy, Head and Neck: Adam's Apple](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535354/); [Anatomy, Head and Neck: Larynx Cartilage](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553185/). ## **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/thyroid-cartilage/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/thyroid-cartilage/