Growth, Development and Aging of the Vocal Fold

Abstract

122 human larynges obtained from autopsy were macroscopically and his-topathologically studied. The following results were obtained. 1. The length of the vocal fold was 2.5-3 mm in newborns. It increased with the age up to 20 years. In adults, the vocal fold length was 15–21 mm in males and 10–15 mm in females. 2. The length of the membraneous portion was 1.3-2 mm in newborns. It also increased with age up to 20 years. In adults, the length of the membraneous portion was 12–18 mm in males and 8–12 mm in females. 3. The thickness of the mucosa was 0.75-0.95 mm in newborns. It slightly increased with the age. 4. There was no ligament in newborns. There were only immature maculae flavae. An immature ligamentous structure appeared at the eges of 1 to 4. Differentiations of the two in the ligament, i. e. the layer of elastic fibers and that of collagen fibers, occured at the age of 6 to 12. The vocal ligament appeared to become mature before 20 years of age. 5. With aging, the superficial layer of the lamina propria thickened with edema. The intermediate layer thinned because of the atrophy of the elastic fibers. The deep layer. © 1988, The Japan Society of Logopedics and Phoniatrics. All rights reserved.