Dimensions & weight of the cricoid cartilage in northwest Indians

Information on the diameters of the cricoid cartilage in northwest Indian children and adults is scanty. As injury to the mucous membrane of the larynx could occur when an endotracheal tube or a laryngoscope, selected on the basis of western data, is introduced into the larynx of patients. It was, therefore, considered necessary to study the diameters of the cartilage.

Cricoid cartilages were obtained from 100 male and 58 female adults, 25 male and 25 female children and adolescents on whom medico-legal postmortems were done. In addition, cartilages of 25 dead newborns were studied. Measurements taken included height and thickness of the lamina and anterior arch, anteroposterior and transverse diameters, circumference, length and breadth of the cricoarytenoid facets and angle between their long axes.

With advancing age, there was an increase in the weight and in most of the measurements of the cartilage in the newborns, children and adolescents, and adults. Sexual dimorphism in weight and measurements became evident only after the age of 17 yr.

The weight and other measurements of the cricoid cartilage in northwest Indians are smaller than those recorded in the western populations. The tubes of appropriate size should therefore be used for intubation in different age groups particularly in children based on measurements taken in Indians. Use of the western measurements/standards for this purpose is not recommended. In case of a highly decomposed body, the measurements and weight of the cartilage may be useful in gender determination.