[Anomalies of the thyroid cartilage and their forensic medical significance]

A total of 433 completely prepared cadaveric neck organ complexes were examined. Four variants of the thyroid cartilage structure were distinguished, with due consideration for the mobility of its attachment to the hyoid bone; three of these variants included abnormal cases. Abnormalities were revealed in 4.8% of cases, and were almost two times more incident in men than in women. The shape of the thyroid-hyoid junction notably influences the vulnerability of the neck structures. Vulnerability of the thyroid cartilage and hyoid bone differed much even among the normal variants. Abnormal or even normal thyroid-hyoid junction can be taken for a fracture by palpation; therefore, thorough complete preparation under laboratory conditions is obligatory.