Thyroid cartilage

The thyroid cartilage (lat. cartilago thyreoidea) is a paired cartilaginous organ of the larynx, located in the midline of the epiglottis.

The thyroid cartilage consists of two plates connected to each other. It has the shape of a shield, which is why it got its name. The superior plate (also known as the thyroid plate) forms the anterior wall of the larynx and is the widest part of the cartilage. The inferior plate, or cricoid cartilage, forms the posterior wall of the larynx.

Functions of cartilage:

– participates in the formation of the larynx frame;
– protects the larynx from external damage;
– takes part in the formation of the vocal apparatus, as it participates in the formation of vocal folds;
– affects the functioning of the thyroid gland.

Diseases of the thyroid cartilage:

– Developmental anomalies
– Injuries
– Inflammatory diseases
– Tumors

Thyroid cartilage is an unpaired organ of the pharynx, related to the respiratory organs and part of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland (on the side of the larynx) is made up of two connected glands, with the front part of the gland called the thyroid gland and the back part called the parathyroid gland.

The gland is located just behind the larynx and is often called the “stone”