Steps of the laryngeal handshake

The laryngeal handshake is a method for identifying the cricothyroid membrane accurately in the midline of the neck. Steps of the laryngeal handshake are as follows:

• Grasp the greater horns of the hyoid bone with the thumb and third finger of the nondominant hand (A). Move the hyoid from side to side to appreciate the three dimensional anatomy of the laryngeal structures.
• Slide the fingers caudally to palpate the thyroid laminae (B). Move the laminae from side to side and adjust to evenly grasp the laminae around the midline.
• Slide the hand caudally to grasp the cricoid cartilage and palpate the cricothyroid membrane with the index finger (C).