Larynx: cricothyroid membrane: practice question

A Anatomy question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anatomy · Larynx: cricothyroid membrane

Sample item

During an emergency in which a patient cannot be intubated or oxygenated, the anaesthetist performs a surgical airway. Through which structure is the incision made?

AThyroid isthmus at the second tracheal ringBThyrohyoid membrane between hyoid and thyroid cartilageCCricothyroid membrane between the thyroid and cricoid cartilagesDCricotracheal ligament between the cricoid and the first tracheal ring

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Cricothyroid membrane between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages

The cricothyroid membrane lies in the midline below the laryngeal prominence of the thyroid cartilage and above the cricoid arch, covered only by skin and fascia. It is below the vocal folds and is the preferred site for emergency cricothyroidotomy. The thyrohyoid membrane is pierced by the internal laryngeal nerve and superior laryngeal vessels and lies above the vocal folds.

Option by option

A. Thyroid isthmus at the second tracheal ring
The thyroid isthmus and higher tracheal rings are the region for elective tracheostomy and involve more vascular tissue.
B. Thyrohyoid membrane between hyoid and thyroid cartilage
The thyrohyoid membrane lies above the vocal folds and carries the internal laryngeal nerve.
C. Cricothyroid membrane between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages (correct)
Correct. This is superficial, palpable and below the vocal folds.
D. Cricotracheal ligament between the cricoid and the first tracheal ring
The cricotracheal ligament is not the standard access site and is harder to identify.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is C, Cricothyroid membrane between the thyroid and cricoid cartilages. The cricothyroid membrane lies in the midline below the laryngeal prominence of the thyroid cartilage and above the cricoid arch, covered only by skin and fascia.

Why is "Thyroid isthmus at the second tracheal ring" not the answer?

The thyroid isthmus and higher tracheal rings are the region for elective tracheostomy and involve more vascular tissue.

Why is "Thyrohyoid membrane between hyoid and thyroid cartilage" not the answer?

The thyrohyoid membrane lies above the vocal folds and carries the internal laryngeal nerve.

Why is "Cricotracheal ligament between the cricoid and the first tracheal ring" not the answer?

The cricotracheal ligament is not the standard access site and is harder to identify.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Larynx: cricothyroid membrane in Anatomy. It is below the vocal folds and is the preferred site for emergency cricothyroidotomy. The thyrohyoid membrane is pierced by the internal laryngeal nerve and superior laryngeal vessels and lies above the vocal folds.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Larynx: cricothyroid membrane?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.