Question

Find the correct match:

• A. Thyroid cartilage: Elastic
• B. Cartilages of Santorini: Hyaline
• C. Cricoid cartilage: Hyaline
• D. Arytenoid cartilages: Fibrous

Answer 1

The correct option is C Cricoid cartilage: Hyaline

In the larynx, cricoid cartilage is a signet ring-shaped cartilage below the thyroid cartilage. It is made up of hyaline cartilage. Hyaline cartilage is a pearly bluish-white coloured translucent cartilage which is mostly made up of a dense network of type-II collagen fibres embedded in proteoglycan gel. It provides mechanical strength to the organs.

Thyroid Cartilage is the largest cartilage of the larynx. It has a V-shaped notch towards its ventral side called the thyroid notch. It is also made up of hyaline cartilage. It makes the complete ventral (front) surface and few parts of the lateral (side) surface of the larynx.

Arytenoid cartilages are a pair of pyramid-shaped cartilages present at the upper border of the Cricoid cartilage at the dorsal (back) surface of the larynx. They are made up of hyaline cartilages except the vocal processes which are made up of elastic cartilages. The fibrous cartilage, unlike hyaline and elastin cartilages, is very dense and are found in the intervertebral discs and pubic symphysis.

Cartilages of Santorini or Corniculate cartilages are a pair of small conical nodules of elastic cartilage that are located at the upper end of arytenoid cartilages. The epiglottis falls on the corniculate cartilages when it closes the glottis. So, these cartilages protect the epiglottis from falling into the glottis cavity.