Skjoldbrusk

Skjoldbrusk, in anatomical terms, refers to the thyroid cartilage, the shield-shaped cartilage that forms the anterior wall of the larynx and is the largest of the laryngeal cartilages. It is an unpaired, hyaline structure whose two laminae fuse anteriorly to create the prominent laryngeal notch and the laryngeal prominence, commonly known as the Adam’s apple. Each lamina bears a superior and an inferior cornus (horns); the superior cornua extend upward toward the hyoid bone, connected by ligaments, while the inferior cornua articulate with the cricoid cartilage to form part of the laryngeal skeleton.

Development and anatomy: the skjoldbrusk develops from the pharyngeal arches and typically ossifies with age, more conspicuously in males. The cartilage provides attachment sites for numerous intrinsic laryngeal muscles and ligaments, and for the epiglottis via the thyroepiglottic ligament. It contributes to the structure and protection of the glottis and regulates tension on the vocal cords through its relationships with surrounding cartilages and muscles.

Function and clinical relevance: as a central element of the laryngeal framework, the skjoldbrusk supports the vocal apparatus and defines the airway openings. It serves as a key landmark in neck anatomy and is encountered during airway management and neck examinations. The thyroid gland lies inferior and posterior to the skjoldbrusk, while the cricothyroid membrane lies between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages, a location relevant for emergency airway access. Fracture of the skjoldbrusk is uncommon but can occur with direct trauma and may affect voice and airway function if displaced.