Which is the only cartilage of the laryngeal skeleton that forms a complete ring around the airway?
- A Thyroid cartilage
- B Cricoid cartilage ✓
- C Epiglottic cartilage
- D Arytenoid cartilage
Correct answer: B. Cricoid cartilage
Explanation
The cricoid is a complete signet-ring shaped hyaline cartilage, broad posteriorly and narrow anteriorly, and is the only full circumferential ring in the upper airway. This anatomical completeness explains why subglottic oedema in children narrows the airway so rapidly, since there is no expandable space. The thyroid cartilage is open posteriorly, arytenoids are paired small cartilages, and the epiglottis is a leaf-like elastic cartilage.
Reference: Gray's Anatomy, 42nd ed.
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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.