title: [Histology of the larynx].
abstract: The mucous membrane lining the interior of the larynx was studied in autopsy specimens taken from 21 infant larynxes, with ages ranging from 1 to 15 years. Only those larynxes in which the epithelial mucosal structures were preserved were set aside for study. A standard histological technique was applied. Paraffin sections were stained with haematoxylin-eosin, PAS, Masson's triple stain and orcine. The epithelium of the ventricles, ventricular bands and subglottis was found to be of respiratory type. On the vocal folds, the lining was non-keratinising squamous epithelium. These findings are consistent with those found in the literature. Findings that differed were as follows: the laryngeal surface of the epiglottis is classically described as having a respiratory type of epithelium, whereas we found it to be of non-keratinising stratified squamous type. The literature describes the epithelium of the ventricular bands as respiratory. While in our series we found stratified squamous in 56% and respiratory in 44%. Other findings are imprecise in the literature, and need definition; the finding of taste papillae in six cases without age correlation; and the richness of follicles in the lymphoid tissue at the epiglottis and ventricles of children aged more than 3 months.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital Charles Nicolle, Service O.R.L, Boulevard 9 Avril 1938, 1006 Tunis, Tunisie.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kooli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zhioua
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zekri
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Najeh
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Jaafoura
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferjaoui
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007820:Laryngeal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology; D007830:Larynx / Q000166:cytology*; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male