cricotracheale

Cricotracheale refers to the anatomical region where the cricoid cartilage of the larynx meets the trachea. This junction is a critical area for the airway. The cricoid cartilage is the only complete ring of cartilage in the respiratory tract, shaped like a signet ring with its thicker posterior portion forming the arch. Inferior to the cricoid cartilage, the trachea begins, characterized by its C-shaped cartilaginous rings. The cricotracheal membrane, a fibrous sheet, connects the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage to the superior border of the first tracheal ring.

This anatomical area is significant in several medical contexts. For instance, a cricothyroidotomy is a surgical procedure that involves making an incision through the cricothyroid membrane, located between the cricoid cartilage and the thyroid cartilage, to establish an emergency airway. While not directly at the cricotracheal junction, its proximity highlights the importance of this region. Furthermore, the cricotracheal junction can be a site for intubation challenges or complications, particularly in pediatric patients where the cricoid cartilage is the narrowest part of the pediatric airway. Conditions affecting this area, such as stenosis or inflammation, can significantly impact breathing.