INTRINSIC AND EXTRINSIC FACTORS RELEVANT TO THE MORPHOLOGY OF THE GROWING CRICOID RING AFTER A COMBINED ANTERIOR AND POSTERIOR CRICOID SPLIT - AN EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY IN RABBITS

The effects of a Rethi procedure upon the cricoid is investigated in y oung rabbits. An anterior and posterior cricoid split carried out upon the larynx of a young rabbit was demonstrated to result in an enlarge d cricoid lumen in the adult stage due to an enhancement of both the a nterior and posterior transversal diameter of the ring. These changes are ascribed to a release of interlocked stresses in the cricoid carti lage and the action of the cricopharyngeal and cricothyroid muscle.