During cricoid pressure (Sellick maneuver), compression of which structure is used to prevent regurgitation during airway management?

• A. Epiglottis
• B. Cricoid cartilage
• C. Thyroid cartilage
• D. Hyoid bone

Answer: (B)

Cricoid pressure, or the Sellick maneuver, works by using the cricoid cartilage as the point of contact to compress the esophagus against the cervical spine. By applying firm, backward pressure on the cricoid ring, the esophagus is effectively occluded, creating a temporary seal that helps prevent regurgitation during airway management when the airway isn’t yet protected by an endotracheal tube. The cricoid cartilage is the structure directly involved in applying that pressure, which is why it’s the best answer among the options. The other structures listed—epiglottis, thyroid cartilage, and hyoid bone—play unrelated roles in this maneuver or airway anatomy, so they don’t describe the object of compression in cricoid pressure.