The cricoid cartilage forms the only complete ring of hyaline cartilage around the trachea, serving as the inferior boundary of the larynx at the C6 vertebral level.[ncbi.nlm.nih +1]

Anatomy

It features a narrow anterior arch (5-7 mm high) that widens posteriorly into a broad lamina, resembling a signet ring. The superior border connects to the thyroid cartilage via cricothyroid ligaments, while the inferior border attaches to the first tracheal ring via the cricotracheal ligament.[wikipedia +1]

Function

The cricoid maintains tracheal patency and provides attachment sites for muscles like the cricothyroid and posterior cricoarytenoid, which control vocal cord movement for phonation and airway regulation. It articulates with arytenoid cartilages superiorly for vocal fold dynamics.[kenhub +2]