Which structure is referred to as the small and high larynx in newborns?

The hyoid bone is referred to as the small and high larynx in newborns because it plays a crucial role in supporting the tongue and is positioned higher in the neck compared to adults. This elevated positioning allows for the newborn's ability to latch onto the breast for feeding, enabling effective swallowing and breathing simultaneously. The hyoid bone's unique characteristic and placement in infants facilitate crucial early functions, making it an essential structure in understanding laryngeal anatomy during this developmental stage.

While other structures like the thyroid cartilage, arytenoids, and epiglottis are important in laryngeal function and development, they do not occupy the same significant position relative to the anatomy of infants. The thyroid cartilage is much larger and does not reach the same height as the hyoid bone in newborns. Arytenoids and the epiglottis, while integral parts of the laryngeal anatomy, do not embody the description of being a "small and high" structure in the context of neonatal physiology.