Thyrohyoid Membrane, Lateral View

Description

Oriented in lateral profile, the thyrohyoid membrane spans between the superior border of the thyroid cartilage inferiorly and the body and greater horn of the hyoid bone superiorly, forming a fibroelastic sheet at the anterior neck. Superior to it sits the epiglottis at the laryngeal inlet, while the cricoid cartilage lies inferior and posterior to the thyroid cartilage as the laryngeal framework transitions toward the trachea. Intrinsic laryngeal muscles are positioned deep to the cartilages, and the vocal folds can be appreciated within the laryngeal cavity as paired structures running anteroposteriorly from the thyroid cartilage toward the arytenoid region. Relationships are clear. Male morphology is suggested by the more prominent thyroid laminae. Clinically, the thyrohyoid membrane matters because it is the gateway for the internal laryngeal nerve and superior laryngeal artery as they pierce the membrane to supply sensation and mucosa above the vocal folds. Injury or entrapment of the internal branch during anterior neck surgery, external laryngeal trauma, or superior laryngeal nerve block can produce supraglottic anesthesia with impaired cough and increased aspiration risk. This lateral angle also supports teaching of the laryngeal inlet and the relative position of the epiglottis during swallowing, a common source of confusion when learners only see midsagittal diagrams. Use this artwork for head and neck anatomy courses, otolaryngology teaching files, and surgical atlases covering supraglottic approaches, cricothyrotomy versus thyrohyoid access, and nerve block techniques at the level of the greater horn of the hyoid. It also fits speech and swallowing publications where the laryngeal framework, vocal folds, and inlet must be related to palpable surface landmarks like the thyroid cartilage. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.