LESSON 3
CRICOTHYROIDOTOMY
Section I. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
3-1.
DEFINITION
A cricothyroidotomy is an emergency surgical procedure to provide a temporary
airway between the cricoid cartilage and thyroid cartilage because there is a total
obstruction in the normal oropharyngeal air-exchange route. The cricothyroidotomy site
consists of the larynx, which contains the thyroid cartilage (Adam's apple); the cricoid
cartilage; the cricothyroid membrane (between the cartilages); the thyroid gland; and the
vocal cords. In a needle cricothyroidotomy or a surgical cricothyroidotomy, the
cricothyroid membrane is penetrated. Figure 3-1 shows the location of the cricothyroid
membrane.
Figure 3-1. Location of the cricothyroid membrane.
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3-2