Locating the Main Structures of the Larynx

Matthew Reeve

The Hyoid Bone:
Place each index finger just in front of your ear holes, on your jaw bone, just near the top of your ear lobes. Slowly run your fingers down under your jaw bone and then into the the base of your tongue until you feel two smooth lumps on each side. You may need to do this a few times. If you gently push one of these lumps the other will move in the same direct. This is the hyoid bone. If you locate both of these points with one hand you will feel how this bone is suspended freely in the neck.

The Thyroid Cartilage:
Raise your chin up and back and then place one finger on your chin. Gently trace your finger down and under the centre of your chin and down on to your neck. The first lump you get to is the thyroid notch or prominence. On a man this cartilage, the ‘Adam’s Apple’, is usually easy to locate. However, on a woman it can be harder to locate as the angle of the cartilage is usually flatter. Becareful not to confuse the front of hyoid bone with thyroid cartilage, which can sometimes be more prominent.

At the top of the thyroid notch you will be able to feel the ‘v’ formation of the sides (lamina) of the thyroid. If you place your index finger on the notch, with your thumb and second finger on either side you will be able to feel the flat surfaces of each lamina. It is also possible to locate the upper (superior) horns of the thyroid cartilage by moving down from the sides of the hyoid bone. This method is sometimes helpful on smaller flatter larynxes.

The Cricoid Cartilage:
From the top centre of the thyroid cartilage continue down and you will find a soft groove or depression. This is sometimes known as the crico-thyroid visor. At this point below your finger is the cricoid cartilage and above is the thyroid cartilage. If you hum up and down your range you may feel this depression close as you ascend your range.

The Trachea:
The cricoid cartilage sits at the top of the trachea. Below the cricoid it is easy to feel the rings of cartilage that give structure to the trachea.

General Points:
If you struggle to locate the cartilages, to get a general feel for the gross movement of the larynx try humming up and down your range. As you go up the larynx may generally move up and as you go down the larynx will descend. Alternatively, swallow and notice that the larynx ascends and then yawn and notice that the larynx descends.

Locating these structures can feel a little strange if you are not used to feeling your neck in this way or in such detail. If you feel any discomfort whilst doing this stop. I would recommend working with your teacher or someone who is experienced and knowledgeable about these structures if you are unsure.

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