[Histological findings of the mucosa of the larynx in healthy individuals].

A histological study of the laryngeal mucosa was carried out in one hundred biopsy specimens taken out, within the first 24 hours after death, from individuals who didn't die because of laryngeal disease. The histological findings were correlated with regard to the age, sex and habits of these individuals and led to the following observations: 1. The squamous epithelium was found to line the laryngeal mucosa in other sites beyond the vocal cords and regardless of the age and sex. 2. Metaplasia and dysplasia of the laryngeal epithelium appear to develop progressively on growing. These lesions are mainly extended to the vocal cords and to the laryngeal surface of the epiglottis in individuals who live in large, crowded cities with high atmospheric pollution as well as in heavy smokers. Contrary to the men, the women show a reduced tendency towards the development of such lesions on the laryngeal epithelium. 3. Where the squamous epithelium emerges into the submucosa, forming crypt-like formations, it appears to be more hyperplastic and more dysplastic. 4. In cases where an extended laryngeal sac was observed the epithelium of the vocal cords presented an extensive squamous metaplasia and dysplasia.