Which structures are not as prominent in infants as they are in adults?

In the context of speech, language, and hearing anatomy, the structures like the thyroid notch and thyroid cartilage, as well as the cricoid cartilage, demonstrate significant developmental changes from infancy to adulthood. In infants, the laryngeal structure is still developing, and several components, including the thyroid and cricoid cartilages, are less prominent.

The thyroid cartilage in infants is smaller and less developed, leading to the absence of the noticeable thyroid notch that is typically seen in adults. The cricoid cartilage is also more rounded and not as well-defined in infants as in adults. This underdevelopment is primarily due to the overall size and growth of the larynx, which increases as the child matures.

Recognizing that these structures are less pronounced in infants underscores the anatomical differences that occur with growth and development, aiding understanding of how speech production and respiratory function evolve over time. Thus, all mentioned structures—the thyroid notch, thyroid cartilage, and cricoid cartilage—are collectively less prominent in infants compared to adults.