Arch of cricoid cartilage anatomical variation: morphological and radiological aspects

Abstract

The cricoid cartilage serves as an anatomical reference for several surgical procedures for access to the airway. Additionally, it serves as an attachment point for muscles that move the vocal folds. We present a case where the cricoid cartilage arch is divided into distinct superior and inferior arches, with a fibrous membrane between them. We did not find any similar description to this case in the literature, which makes it unique to date. This type of variation is important knowledge for clinicians and surgeons during airway management in the anterior neck region. The presence of this variation could induce an error during a palpation of the thyroid and cricoid cartilages, realized in clinical examination and surgical or emergency procedures.

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