Respiratory Examination 4: Surface Anatomy

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Cricoid & Thyroid 

This shows the surface anatomy of the cricoid cartilage (red), the thyroid cartilage (yellow Adam's apple) and the soft thyroid gland (green)


The crico-sternal distance is usually 2cm or 2 fingerbreaths

If the patient has emphysema, this will cause a "hyperexpanded" barrel shaped chest, and the crico-sternal distance will be reduced