Thyroid Cartilage Flashcards

Explore the thyroid cartilage's laminae, horns, anatomical landmarks, muscular attachments, articulations, and role in phonation.

Card 1 of 28Question

What is the thyroid cartilage?

The largest laryngeal cartilage, consisting of two broad laminae that protect the vocal folds and support the larynx.

In This Section

1. What is the thyroid cartilage?

The largest laryngeal cartilage, consisting of two broad laminae that protect the vocal folds and support the larynx.

2. What type of cartilage forms the thyroid cartilage?

Hyaline cartilage, which commonly undergoes progressive ossification with age.

3. Where is the thyroid cartilage located?

In the anterior neck, inferior to the hyoid bone and superior to the cricoid cartilage.

4. What are the two principal structural components of the thyroid cartilage?

The right and left quadrilateral laminae, which meet anteriorly in the midline.

5. What forms the laryngeal prominence?

The anterior union of the two thyroid cartilage laminae, commonly called the Adam's apple.

6. How does the angle between the thyroid laminae typically differ between adult males and females?

It is usually more acute in males, approximately 90 degrees, and wider in females, approximately 120 degrees.

7. What is the superior thyroid notch?

A midline indentation along the superior border of the thyroid cartilage, above the laryngeal prominence.

8. Where is the inferior thyroid notch located?

At the anterior midline of the inferior border of the thyroid cartilage.

9. What are the two pairs of horns of the thyroid cartilage?

The superior horns and inferior horns, also called superior and inferior cornua.

10. Which structures connect the superior horns of the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone?

The lateral thyrohyoid ligaments, which are thickened portions of the thyrohyoid membrane.

11. Which cartilage articulates with the inferior horns of the thyroid cartilage?

The cricoid cartilage, forming the paired cricothyroid joints.

12. What type of joints are the cricothyroid joints?

Synovial joints permitting tilting and limited gliding movements between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages.

13. What is the function of movement at the cricothyroid joints?

It changes the distance between the thyroid cartilage and arytenoid vocal processes, adjusting vocal fold length and tension.

14. Which membrane connects the superior border of the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone?

The thyrohyoid membrane.

15. Which structures commonly pierce the lateral thyrohyoid membrane?

The internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve and the superior laryngeal vessels.

16. Which ligament connects the anterior thyroid cartilage to the cricoid arch?

The median cricothyroid ligament.

17. Where do the vocal ligaments attach anteriorly?

To the internal surface of the thyroid cartilage near the anterior midline.

18. Which ligament anchors the petiole of the epiglottis to the thyroid cartilage?

The thyroepiglottic ligament.

19. What is the oblique line of the thyroid cartilage?

A raised ridge on the external surface of each lamina extending between the superior and inferior thyroid tubercles.

20. Which muscles attach to the oblique line of the thyroid cartilage?

The sternothyroid, thyrohyoid, and inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles.

21. Which intrinsic laryngeal muscle originates from the internal surface of the thyroid cartilage near its anterior angle?

The thyroarytenoid muscle.

22. Which intrinsic laryngeal muscle inserts onto the inferior border and inferior horn of the thyroid cartilage?

The cricothyroid muscle.

23. Which nerve supplies the cricothyroid muscle attached to the thyroid cartilage?

The external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, a branch of the vagus nerve.

24. What is the role of the thyroid cartilage during phonation?

It provides anterior vocal fold attachment and moves relative to the cricoid cartilage to regulate vocal fold tension.

25. Which artery supplies much of the thyroid cartilage and adjacent superior laryngeal region?

Branches of the superior thyroid artery, including contributions from the superior laryngeal artery.

26. Why is the thyroid cartilage an important landmark during palpation of the neck?

Its laryngeal prominence and superior notch help identify the larynx and locate the cricothyroid membrane inferiorly.

27. How can fractures of the thyroid cartilage affect laryngeal function?

They may disrupt vocal fold support, impair phonation, and compromise the airway.

28. What is the anatomical significance of thyroid cartilage ossification in adults?

Progressive ossification increases cartilage rigidity and makes portions of the laryngeal skeleton visible on radiographs.