[Distribution of lymph vessels in the plica vocalis of the human. A light microscopy, enzyme histochemistry and electron microscopy study].

Results of studies on the presence of lymphatic capillaries in the plica vocalis are shown, using improved methods of preparation. Immediately after laryngectomy, followed by immediate fixation of the non-pathological plicae vocalis, large lymphatic capillaries can be easily identified in the specimen. Lymphatic capillaries, which cannot be seen in conventional light microscopy, are now histochemically demonstrated with a marker of 5' nucleotidase. These histochemical results are confirmed by electron microscopy. Using a combination of both methods, a different quantity of subepithelial lymphatic capillaries can be visualised over the whole length and width of the plica vocalis. Lymphatic capillaries below the stratified squamous epithelium in the region of the anterior commissure grow gradually more numerous up to the folds of the arytenoid cartilage. Hence, in contrast to previous studies, the superficial lymphatic capillary system of the laryngeal mucosae is not separated into a supraglottic and subglottic lymphatic net of the vocal cord.