comb. form of Gr. κρίκος = κίρκος ring, used in Anat. in sense ‘pertaining to or connected with the cricoid cartilage,’ as crico-arytenoid a., pertaining to the cricoid and arytenoid cartilages; also sb. (sc. muscle); crico-thyroid a., pertaining to the cricoid and thyroid cartilages; also sb. (sc. muscle); hence crico-thyroidean a.; so crico-pharyngeal, -tracheal. Cricotomy, the operation of dividing the cricoid cartilage.
1842. E. Wilson, Anat. Vade M., 272. The crico-thyroidean membrane.
1847. Todd, Cycl. Anat., III. 101/1. The crico-thyroid muscles.
1878. T. Bryant, Pract. Surg. (1879), II. 31. The crico-thyroid arteries.
