Ligament
Cricothyroid ligament
Elastic support beneath the vocal ligaments
High-yield
Distinguish the median anterior ligament from the paired lateral conus elasticus. The vocal ligament is the thickened upper free edge of the latter.
Overview
The conus elasticus is a fibroelastic sheet extending upward from the cricoid toward the thyroid angle and arytenoid vocal processes. Its upper free edges form the vocal ligaments. At the front, the thicker median cricothyroid ligament spans the interval between the thyroid cartilage and cricoid arch.
Reference facts
- Attachments
- Cricoid superior border below; thyroid angle anteriorly and arytenoid vocal processes posteriorly. The median portion directly joins the thyroid and cricoid in front.
- Function
- Supports the subglottic wall and forms the vocal ligaments along its superior margins, transmitting forces between the laryngeal cartilages.
- Clinical point
- The median ligament is an emergency airway landmark. Nearby and crossing vessels explain bleeding risk; this anatomical description is not a procedural guide.
Clinical correlation
The anterior cricothyroid interval is used by trained clinicians for emergency airway access. It contains vessels and can be difficult to locate by touch, particularly with altered neck anatomy; it should not be described as an invariably easy or bloodless entry site.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the cricothyroid ligament attach?
Cricoid superior border below; thyroid angle anteriorly and arytenoid vocal processes posteriorly. The median portion directly joins the thyroid and cricoid in front.
What does the cricothyroid ligament do?
Supports the subglottic wall and forms the vocal ligaments along its superior margins, transmitting forces between the laryngeal cartilages.
Why does the cricothyroid ligament matter clinically?
The median ligament is an emergency airway landmark. Nearby and crossing vessels explain bleeding risk; this anatomical description is not a procedural guide.