cricoid cartilage

 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".