Anatom3DThyroid cartilage
Cartilago thyroidea · Štítná chrupavka
Joints & cartilage
Looks like
The largest cartilage of the voice box, shield-shaped, forming the Adam's apple — larger and more prominent in males after puberty.
What it does
Protects the vocal folds and anchors their front ends.
Keeping it well
Hardens with age; a blow to the front of the neck with hoarseness or noisy breathing needs emergency care.
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