Cricoid Cartilage: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Image

Home » What Does The Cricoid Cartilage Do » Cricoid Cartilage: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Image

Maybe your like

Skip navigation

Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

You Are Here: Home → Medical Encyclopedia → Cricoid cartilage URL of this page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/8997.htm Cricoid cartilage Cricoid cartilage

Overview

The cricothyroid membrane, the softer area between the firmer and more prominent thyroid cartilage (Adam’s apple) and the smaller cricoid cartilage, is the portion of the throat used to insert a hollow needle to assist in breathing when other attempts have failed. This procedure is also known as an emergency airway puncture or cricothyrotomy.

Review Date 10/7/2024

Updated by: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

Learn how to cite this page

Tag » What Does The Cricoid Cartilage Do