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Updated: June 12, 2025
At the back the lower edges of the thyroid rest upon the cricoid cartilage, which derives its name from the Greek krikos, a signet-ring. This is next in size to the thyroid. The broader portion, the part which corresponds to the seal in a signet-ring, is at the back. Attached at the back, the two cartilages do not, however, meet in front.
Above and from the sides rise two horns connected by bands to the hyoid bone from which the larynx is suspended. This bone is attached by muscles and ligaments to the skull. From the under side of the thyroid two horns project downwards to become jointed to the cricoid. The thyroid thus rests upon, and is movable on, the cricoid cartilage.
Mucous membrane lines the inside of it and muscles cover most of the outer surface. The framework is made of cartilage. The cartilage in its walls is in eight separate pieces, but the greater portion of the structure is formed of two pieces only. Both can be felt in the throat—the thyroid as the projection known as "Adam’s apple," and the cricoid as a broad ring just below.
Muscles and connective tissue pass from the thyroid to the cricoid cartilage at all places, save one on each side, where the downward projections of the thyroid form hinge joints with the cricoid. These joints permit of motion of either cartilage upon the other. At the summit of the cricoid cartilage, on each side, is a small piece of triangular shape, called the arytenoid cartilage.
Between the back portions of the thyroid is a space equal to about one third of the circumference of the larynx. This is occupied by the greater portion of the cricoid cartilage. This cartilage has the general shape of a signet ring and is so placed that the part corresponding to the signet fits into the thyroid space, while the ring portion encircles the larynx just below the thyroid.
The Thugs of India sometimes murdered their victims in this way. Often such force is exerted by the murderer's fingers as to completely fracture the cricoid cartilage. In viewing the feats of strength of the exhibitionist we must bear in consideration the numerous frauds perpetrated.
By its action the cricoid is pulled up in front and down behind, so that the arytenoids are drawn back, and thus the vocal bands tensed and lengthened. The lateral crico-arytenoids and the thyro-arytenoids have the opposite effect i.e., they relax and shorten the vocal bands; hence when they come into play a new register begins.
B. Vertical section through larynx, showing inside. 1. Thyroid cartilage. 2. Cricoid cartilage. 3. Trachea. 4. Hyoid bone. 5. Epiglottis. 6. Vocal cord. 7. False vocal cord. 8. Lining of mucous membrane. The thyroid cartilage consists of two V-shaped pieces, one on either side of the larynx, meeting at their points in front, and each terminating at the back in an upward and a downward projection.
A special set of muscles draws the arytenoid cartilages toward each other, thereby bringing their edges very near and parallel to each other in the passage. At the same time other muscles act on the thyroid and cricoid cartilages to separate them at the top and give the cords the necessary tension.
Place a finger on the Adam's apple, slide it down a little way, and the slight depression there met with locates the front opening, covered with yielding membrane, between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages.
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