Left Cuneiform Cartilage (Cartilago cuneiformis sinister)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
The left cuneiform cartilage (cartilage of Wrisberg) is an elongated club-shaped piece of yellow elastic cartilage embedded within the left aryepiglottic fold, situated anterior and slightly lateral to the corniculate cartilage. It imparts rigidity and structure to the aryepiglottic fold, preventing collapse of the laryngeal inlet during inspiration.
Clinical notes
In laryngomalacia, the most common cause of congenital stridor in infants, excessive flaccidity of the aryepiglottic folds containing the cuneiform cartilages leads to their inward prolapse into the airway during inspiration.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Left Cuneiform Cartilage?
The left cuneiform cartilage (cartilage of Wrisberg) is an elongated club-shaped piece of yellow elastic cartilage embedded within the left aryepiglottic fold, situated anterior and slightly lateral to the corniculate cartilage. It imparts rigidity and structure to the aryepiglottic fold, preventing collapse of the laryngeal inlet during inspiration.
Why is the Left Cuneiform Cartilage clinically important?
In laryngomalacia, the most common cause of congenital stridor in infants, excessive flaccidity of the aryepiglottic folds containing the cuneiform cartilages leads to their inward prolapse into the airway during inspiration.
Source & license
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