A 36-year-old man is rushed to the emergency department after sudden onset of shortness of breath and difficulty swallowing. He has visited the emergency department several times before due to food and skin allergies. The patient is unconscious on arrival. Examination shows excessive accessory respiratory muscle use and edematous swelling of the face, lips, and tongue. There is also scattered urticaria over the upper body. Attempts at intubation are unsuccessful due to massive soft tissue edema involving the pharynx. A decision is made to perform an emergency cricothyrotomy. The incisions made during this procedure will most likely pass through which of the following structures?
1) Cricothyroid membrane
2) Thyroid cartilage
3) Cricoid cartilage
4) Tracheal rings