Which of the following cailage encircles the larynx?

Ans. is 'a' i.e., Cricoid Cricoid cailage is the only cailage that forms a complete ring. Laryngeal cailages Thyroid (unpaired) It is the largest of all laryngeal cailages. It is 'V' shaped with right and left lamina. Both laminae (alae) meet anteriorly forming an angle of 90deg in males and 120deg in females and forms laryngeal prominence. Vocal cords are attached to the middle of thyroid angle. Upper border of thyroid cailage lies at C5-C4 junction (at upper border of C4). Thyroid cailage itself lies at C4-C5 level. Cricoid (unpaired) It is the only cailage forming a complete ring, therefore is shaped like a ring. It aiculates with arytenoid cailage to form cricoarytenoid joint, a type of synol joint. It lies at the level of C6 veebra. Epiglottis (unpaired) It is leaf-shaped elastic cailage (in adults). It is omega shaped in children. It forms the anterior wall of laryngeal inlet. It lies above glottis. Arytenoid cailage (paired) Each Arytenoid cailage is pyramidal in shape. Base aiculates with cricoid cailage, and apex suppos the corniculate cailage. A vocal process directed anteriorly and gives attachement to vocal cord. A muscular process directed laterally and gives attachment to intrinsic laryngeal muscles. Corniculate cailage (of Santorini) : Paired Aiculates with apex of Arytenoid cailage Cuneiform cailage (of Wrisberg) : Paired Situated in aryepiglottic fold in front of corniculate cailage.