Locate the hyoid bone, thyroid and cricoid cartilages, lateral mass of the atlas and spinous process of C7

Question 1

Locate the hyoid bone

Answer 1

• Go superior to the laryngeal prominence

Question 2

Locate the thyroid cartilage

Answer 2

• Laryngeal prominence is a palpable part of it
• C4 is the superior border of the thyroid cartilage

Question 3

Locate the cricoid cartilage

Answer 3

• Feel inferiorly below the thryoid cartilage, there should be a small gap, just below this is the cricoid cartilage
• Located at C6

Question 4

Locate the lateral mass of the atlas

Answer 4

• This can be located between the ramus of the mandible and the mastoid processes of the temporal bone

Question 5

Locate the spinous process of C7

Answer 5

• This is the vertebra prominens - the first vertebra with a palpable spinous process