Description
The cricothyroid joint is a synovial joint formed by the inferior horn of the thyroid cartilage and the facet on the superior aspect of the cricoid cartilage.
The joint is covered by a synovial capsule which has a ligamentous component that serves to strengthen the articulation. The capsule and the ligament are relatively elastic which aids in movement.
The cricothyroid joint permits rotation; although, there is little agreement as to which of the two cartilages rotates the most. The overall impact of rotation is the approximation of the thyroid lamina to the cricoid arch. Additionally, when the joint is relaxed and there is relative slack in the ligamentous structures, the cricoid cartilage is capable of gliding in the horizontal and vertical planes. This serves to adjust the length of the vocal folds or increase vocal tension. The shape of the cricothyroid joint facet determines the degree of gliding possible (Standring, 2016).
Related parts of the anatomy
References
Standring, S. (2016) Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. Gray's Anatomy Series 41st edition edn.: Elsevier Limited.
