title: Hajek revisited: a histological examination of the quadrangular membrane.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The predictability of laryngeal cancer spread is due in part to connective tissue membranes. These membranes function as barriers to cancer and divide the larynx into subunits. The field of laryngeal conservation surgery is based on these concepts. The quadrangular membrane plays an important role, hindering the lateral spread of cancer in the larynx. The composition of this membrane has not been well described in the literature. In this study, we examine basic characteristics of the quadrangular membrane using histological techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Whole organ sections of the larynx were used. These sections were examined under a microscope with stains specific for collagen and elastin.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Examination of the sections revealed that the quadrangular membrane is made up of closely woven undulating collagen and elastic fibers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The quadrangular membrane is a fibroelastic structure providing a barrier to cancer spread.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Otolaryngology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA nwanmegha.young@yale.edu.
authors.forename: Nwanmegha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Otolaryngology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA Department of Surgery, Section of Otolaryngology, Cairo University, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mikhail Wadie
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Abdelmessih
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Otolaryngology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
authors.forename: Clarence
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sasaki
mesh_terms: D003094:Collagen / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008853:Microscopy; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen
keywords: Laryngeal neoplasm/physiology; laryngeal anatomy