Cricothyroid Membrane — FRCA Primary MCQ
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Correct answer: E — Thyroid cartilage and cricoid cartilage
The correct answer is E. The cricothyroid membrane spans the anterior interval between the inferior border of the thyroid cartilage and the superior border of the cricoid cartilage. Its thickened midline component is the median cricothyroid ligament, which is traversed during emergency scalpel cricothyroidotomy. The thyrohyoid membrane connects the thyroid cartilage to the hyoid bone, so B is incorrect. The cricotracheal ligament connects the cricoid cartilage to the first tracheal ring, excluding E. The arytenoid cartilages articulate with the posterior cricoid lamina rather than forming the boundaries of the cricothyroid membrane, excluding C. The epiglottis is attached within the laryngeal framework but does not bound this membrane, excluding A.
Reference: Royal College of Anaesthetists. Guide to the FRCA Examination: The Final, Fourth Edition, Clinical science question 1—Anatomy, 2020. https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/media/49226