Cricoid comes from the Greek krikos (finger-ring) and -oedes (shape). The term was coined by the Romans in the first century.

• It is almost universally stated that the cricoid cartilage, the most inferior component of the larynx, is so-named because of it's similarity to a signet ring (a ring with an engraved seal). However, the cartilage more closely resembles, and is more likely named after, the thumb-ring of an archer. Indeed, Vesalius included a drawing of such a ring when describing the cricoid in his Fabrica

A Roman signet ring www.ketteringroots.co.uk/projects/rings2.htm

Posterior view of the cricoid cartilage sprojects.mmi.mcgill.ca/larynx/notes/anat/nacart2.htm

Drawing of a Turkish archer's thumb ring from Andreas Vesalius' De Humani Corporis Fabrica, 1543

An ancient Roman archer's thumb ring www.ancientresource.com