[The lymphatic system of the larynx. A lymphangioscopic and ultrastructural study (author's transl)].

From post mortem and in vivo tissues, the lymphatic drainage of the human larynx has been evaluated by means of lymphangioscopy. The fine structure of lymphatic capillaries and collecting vessels was examined in an electron microscope study. At the ultrastructural level, the structural components of the laryngeal lymphatic vascular wall showed only minor differences when compared to other lymphatic tissues. These differences concerned the valvular morphology of the lymphatic collecting vessels. There was no evidence of specific lymphatic drainage for distinct laryngeal areas, with the exception of the lymphatic capillaries of the free margin of the vocal cords. On account of anastomoses of lymphatic capillaries and collecting vessels lymphatic drainage could cross over both the laryngeal midline and other laryngeal levels. In pathological conditions with impediment of lymphatic flow, these collateral communications are of clinical significance.