Anatomic landmarks for emergency cricothyrotomy

Understanding of the local anatomy is critical to the performance of cricothyrotomy. The laryngeal prominence forms the superior edge of the thyroid cartilage, where there is often a prominent, palpable "V-shaped" notch. The vocal cords are housed within and protected by the thyroid cartilage. The hyoid bone lies cephalad to the thyroid cartilage, and in patients where the thyroid cartilage is not prominent, it can be mistaken for the thyroid prominence. The cricoid cartilage is a complete cartilaginous ring located caudal to the thyroid cartilage. The cricothyroid membrane lies between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages.