Cricoid Cartilage (Cartilago cricoidea)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
The cricoid cartilage is the foundation of the laryngeal skeleton, uniquely shaped like a signet ring with a low anterior arch and a broad posterior lamina. It is the only completely closed cartilaginous ring encircling the entire human respiratory tract, maintaining airway patency at the junction of the larynx and trachea.
Clinical notes
Cricoid pressure (Sellick maneuver) involves applying backward pressure to the cricoid cartilage during rapid sequence induction of anesthesia to compress the cervical esophagus against the C6 vertebra, preventing passive gastric regurgitation.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Cricoid Cartilage?
The cricoid cartilage is the foundation of the laryngeal skeleton, uniquely shaped like a signet ring with a low anterior arch and a broad posterior lamina. It is the only completely closed cartilaginous ring encircling the entire human respiratory tract, maintaining airway patency at the junction of the larynx and trachea.
Why is the Cricoid Cartilage clinically important?
Cricoid pressure (Sellick maneuver) involves applying backward pressure to the cricoid cartilage during rapid sequence induction of anesthesia to compress the cervical esophagus against the C6 vertebra, preventing passive gastric regurgitation.
Source & license
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