Thyroid cartilage

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Description:

The thyroid cartilage is the large superior hyaline cartilage of the larynx that is V-shaped in cross-section. Anteriorly it consists of two rectangular plates that meet at the midline and diverge laterally to end in two elongate posterior borders. The posterior borders project above and below the rectangular plates as the superior and inferior horns of the cartilage. The anterior midline forms a ridge that projects forward and is notched at its superior end. This can be especially noticeable in males as the laryngeal prominence called the Adam's apple. The thyroid cartilage attaches via its inferior horns to the cricoid cartilage inferiorly. It is connected to the hyoid bone above via the thyrohyoid ligament. The epiglottis attaches to its anterior inner surface via the thyroepiglottic ligament.