Gross anatomical studies on larynx of gaddi sheep

The aim of the study was to investigate the anatomical structure of larynx of Gaddi sheep. The larynx formed the connection between the nasopharynx and tracheobronchial tree. In Gaddi sheep, there was no apparent sexual difference in the size of larynx. The larynx of Gaddi sheep was an elongated structure made up of unpaired epiglottis, thyroid and cricoid. The thyroid cartilage was largest cartilage of larynx that formed the lateral and ventral portion of cartilaginous skeleton of larynx. The maximum length from the anterior cornu to the posterior cornu was 4.45±0.34 cm. The maximum breadth of thyroid cartilage was 2.89±10 mm. The signet ringshaped cricoid cartilage was the caudal most cartilage of the larynx. The transverse and vertical diameters of the cricoid cartilage were 2.44±0.5 and 2.82±0.10 cm, respectively. The arytenoid cartilages were paired cartilages of the larynx and had three surfaces (dorsal, medial and lateral) and three borders (ventral, medial and lateral) which met each other by three processes (muscular, vocal and articular) with apex and base. The apex of arytenoid cartilages did not show well-defined corniculate process in Gaddi sheep. The epiglottis cartilage was the rostral cartilage which projected out at laryngeal opening. The obovate leaf-like epiglottic cartilage was curved ventrally with rounded apex. The length and width of epiglottic cartilage were 3.03±0.03 and 2.48±0.27cm, respectively.