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The Cricoid Cartilage

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Essentials of Autopsy Practice

Abstract

This chapter considers an important, yet often overlooked cartilaginous component of the larynx; the cricoid cartilage. It provides an overview of the developmental embryology and normal surface, internal and radiological anatomy before providing an overview of ante mortem and postmortem therapeutic procedures that can cause injury to the cricothyroid and cricotracheal ligaments. It then reviews the limited literature concerning the causation of blunt and penetrating trauma to the cartilage and these ligaments, including consideration of the forces required to undertake clinical procedures and cause injury to the cartilage. The common fracture and dislocation patterns encountered in association with cricoid cartilage trauma and discussed are illustrated. The overall intention of the chapter is to provide an informative reference source for anyone encountering an injury to the cricoid cartilage.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, UK

    Guy N. Rutty

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  1. Guy N. Rutty
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Correspondence to Guy N. Rutty .

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  1. East Midlands Forensic Pathology Unit, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK

    Guy N. Rutty

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Rutty, G.N. (2019). The Cricoid Cartilage. In: Rutty, G. (eds) Essentials of Autopsy Practice. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-24330-2_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-24330-2_5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-24329-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-24330-2

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