====== CRICOID CARTILAGE  ======


  * Cricoid cartilage 
    * Shaped like a ring and is a complete cartilage 
    * Parts 
      * Narrow anterior part called arch 
      * Broad posterior part called lamina 
        * Projects upwards behind thyroid cartilage  
        * Articulates superiorly 
           * with arytenoid cartilage 
      * junction of arch and lamina 
        * inferior cornua of thyroid cartilage articulates on side  
    * Attachments 
      * arch of cricoid 
        * anterior part 
          * cricothyroid muscle ( tensor of vocal cord ) 
        * anterolateral aspect 
          * origin to lateral cricoarytenoid muscle ( adductor of vocal cord )  
      * lamina of cricoid cartilage 
        * outer aspect 
          * posterior cricoartyenoid muscle ( safety muscle )