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Cricothyroid membrane anatomy — FRCA Primary MCQ

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EasyAnatomyCricothyroid membrane anatomyFRCA Primary

A surgical airway is required after failed intubation and failed oxygenation. The operator palpates the thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage and the depression between them. Which anatomical structure is entered during emergency front-of-neck access?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: B — Thyrohyoid membrane

Emergency front-of-neck access is performed through the cricothyroid membrane, which lies between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages. The thyrohyoid membrane is superior and pierced by the internal laryngeal nerve and superior laryngeal vessels. The first tracheal ring is inferior to the cricoid and is not the standard target in an emergency scalpel cricothyroidotomy. The key practical point is reliable surface landmark identification.

Reference: RCoA Primary FRCA Syllabus 2026; Anatomy for Anaesthetists