Ring-shaped; especially referring to a ring-shaped cartilage in the larynx that forms the base of the voice box.
From Greek 'krikos' (ring) plus '-oid' (resembling or having the form of). The word literally means 'ring-like' and was adopted into anatomical terminology because of its distinctive shape.
The cricoid cartilage is sometimes called the 'signet ring' of the larynx because it's the only complete ring of cartilage in the whole respiratory system—making it uniquely important for airway structure.
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