MORPHOLOGY AND MORPHOMETRY OF ADULT HUMAN CRICOID CARTILAGE: A CADAVERIC STUDY IN NORTH INDIAN POPULATION

Abstract

The aim of the present work was to study morphological and morphometric study of thyroid cartilages in adult human cadavers. The material for present study comprised of 30 adult (M:F::25:5) apparently normal cadaveric larynges, obtained from the Anatomy Department of Govt. Medical College, Amritsar. Material used were a vernier caliper with least count of 0.01 mm to measure the different straight distances, unbraided silk thread for measuring the curved distances of the laryngeal cartilages, Indian ink for marking ends of unbraided silk thread, scale, protractor for measuring different angles. All the larynges were removed along with hyoid bone and trachea up to third tracheal ring. All the muscles and ligaments attached to larynx were removed carefully. Different morphological features were observed; measurements were taken and recorded on the predesigned proforma. All the major measurements of thyroid cartilage were found to be more in males as compared to females except upper breadth of thyroid cartilage on anterior aspect, thyroid angle. Length and breadth of thyroid laminae in both sexes were larger on left side as compared to right one. In males the left superior horn and in females right superior horn was longer. In males, the inferior horn was longer on right side while in females; the left inferior horn was longer. Both in males and females length of left oblique line was more than right oblique line. When compared between the two sexes, on the right side, it was more in males while on left side it was more in females.