The thyroid cartilage is the largest of the nine cartilages that
make up the laryngeal skeleton , the cartilage structure in and
around the trachea that contains the larynx It is composed of
two plate-like laminae that come together on the anterior side
of the cartilage to form a peak, called the laryngeal prominence
. This prominence is often referred to as the "Adam's apple ".
The laryngeal prominence is obvious in both sexes, but it tends
to be somewhat more robust in the adult male. The lip of the
thyroid cartilage just superior to the laryngeal prominence is
called the thyroid notch or superior thyroid notch. Layers and
articulations The two laminae that make up the main lateral,
surfaces of the thyroid cartilage extend obliquely to cover
either side of the trachea. The oblique line marks the superior
lateral borders of the thyroid gland The posterior edge of each
lamina articulates with the cricoid cartilage inferiorly at a
joint called the cricothyroid joint. Movement of the cartilage
at this joint pro