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Conus elasticus

The conus elasticus, also known as the lateral ligament of the larynx or cricovocal membrane, is a thin but important fibroelastic tissue structure within the larynx. It forms part of the laryngeal framework, stretching from the superior border of the cricoid cartilage up to the vocal ligaments, contributing to the support and tension of the vocal folds. Anatomically, it plays a crucial role in maintaining the patency and function of the airway, and its visualization can be significant in various clinical and surgical scenarios. Pathological changes in this area can have implications in airway management, voice alterations, or laryngeal malignancies.

MRI Appearance of Conus Elasticus

  • T1-weighted Images

    • The conus elasticus typically appears as a thin, low-signal intensity (dark) band due to its dense fibroelastic composition.

    • It is best visualized in high-resolution sequences, especially when there is fat or fluid outlining the structure.

    • The contrast with surrounding fat or muscle helps delineate its borders.

  • T2-weighted Images

    • On T2-weighted sequences, the conus elasticus remains low signal intensity (hypointense) due to the lack of free water and its fibrous tissue nature.

    • Adjacent soft tissues, such as laryngeal muscles, show relatively higher signal, which can help differentiate the conus elasticus.

  • STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery)

    • STIR sequences, designed to suppress fat signal, show the conus elasticus as a persistent hypointense band.

CT Appearance of Conus Elasticus

  • On CT imaging, the conus elasticus is generally not directly visualized as a distinct structure due to its small size and soft-tissue attenuation similar to adjacent laryngeal components.

MRI images

Conus elasticus mri axial image