Elastic fiber microfibrils: filaments that anchor the epithelium of the epiglottis.

Electron microscope study of the epiglottis in the rat and mouse reveals bundles of tubular-shaped filaments (11 nm diameter) that anchor the basal lamina of the epithelial lining. These anchoring filaments are present both on the laryngeal and oral surfaces of the organ. The filaments are shown to be continuous to elastic fiber microfibrils (EFM) of elastic fibers in the underlying connective tissue. It is suggested that EFM in adults function as anchoring filaments for cells and connective tissue fibers.