Anatom3DCricoid cartilage
Cartilago cricoidea · Prstencová chrupavka
Joints & cartilage
Looks like
A signet-ring-shaped cartilage below the thyroid cartilage, the only complete ring in the airway.
What it does
Keeps the airway open and forms the base of the voice box.
Keeping it well
The site of emergency front-of-neck airway access through the membrane above it; narrowing after long intubation causes noisy breathing.
Related conditions
- Croup & epiglottitis
- Gout
- Haemophilia & bleeding disorders
- Head and neck cancer
- Laryngitis & voice disorders
- Lyme disease
- Marfan syndrome & connective tissue disorders
- Osteoarthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Rheumatic fever & rheumatic heart disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Temporomandibular joint disorder