Friedrich G, Kainz J, Freidl W
Hals-, Nasen-, Ohren-Universitätsklinik Graz.
Laryngorhinootologie. 1993 May;72(5):215-24. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-997888.
19 laryngeal specimens (11 male, 8 female) were cut in horizontal serial sections, parallel to the free edge of the vocal cord. After staining, the structures of the glottis were measured microscopically and statistical analysis of the sex-related differences performed. The results show that the glottis can be divided not only into the well-known anterior and posterior glottis, but into five histological and functional distinctive portions. Within the anterior glottis, these parts are the freely vibrating midportion of the vocal cord, which is connected to the stiff laryngeal frame via an anterior and posterior transition zone. Within the posterior glottis there are two parts: the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilage (which is, according to Hirano, also the cartilage portion of the vocal cord) and the lateral wall of the posterior glottis. Statistical analysis of the data revealed significant sex differences, not only in the absolute measures but also on comparing the relative dimensions in respect of the total glottic length. The posterior glottis accounts for 37% of the total glottic length in men and for 42% in women and is therefore longer than generally accepted. We found statistically significant sex-related differences in the length of the posterior glottis, which is absolutely longer in men but relatively longer in women. The reason for this is the difference in the length of the midportion of the vocal cord. This zone is twice as long in men (8.5 mm) than in women (4.6 mm) and accounts for 37% of the total glottic length in men compared to 29% in women. As this portion is the most vibrating part of the vocal cord this could be an explanation for the unsolved phenomenon why the fundamental frequencies are 1:2 between men and women while all dimensions of the larynx are 1.5:1. The vibrating midportion of the vocal cord is connected to the stiff laryngeal framework by highly differentiated transition zones: the nodulus elasticus anterior and posterior. The lamina propria of the midportion shows a three-layered structure, orientated parallel to the free edge of the vocal cord. In the transition zones the deep layer of the lamina propria consists of interwoven bundles of collagen and elastic fibres, thus having the function of a "cushion ball" (Hirano). A functionally important portion is the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilage. The complex movements of the vocal process during abduction and adduction of the vocal cords produce a severe mechanical strain on the mucous membrane covering this part of the glottis.
19个喉部标本（11例男性，8例女性）被切成与声带游离缘平行的水平连续切片。染色后，在显微镜下测量声门结构，并对性别相关差异进行统计分析。结果表明，声门不仅可分为众所周知的前声门和后声门，还可分为五个组织学和功能上不同的部分。在前声门内，这些部分是声带自由振动的中部，它通过前后过渡区与坚硬的喉部框架相连。在后声门内有两个部分：杓状软骨的声带突（根据平野的说法，它也是声带的软骨部分）和后声门的侧壁。对数据的统计分析显示，不仅在绝对测量值上，而且在比较声门总长度的相对尺寸时，都存在显著的性别差异。后声门在男性中占声门总长度的37%，在女性中占42%，因此比一般认为的要长。我们发现后声门长度存在统计学上显著的性别相关差异，其绝对长度在男性中更长，但相对长度在女性中更长。原因是声带中部长度的差异。该区域在男性中（8.5毫米）是女性（4.6毫米）的两倍，在男性中占声门总长度的37%，而在女性中占29%。由于这部分是声带振动最剧烈的部分，这可能解释了一个尚未解决的现象，即为什么男性和女性的基频之比为1:2，而喉部的所有尺寸之比为1.5:1。声带的振动中部通过高度分化的过渡区与坚硬的喉部框架相连：前、后弹性小结。中部的固有层呈三层结构，与声带游离缘平行排列。在过渡区，固有层的深层由交织的胶原纤维束和弹性纤维组成，因此具有“缓冲球”（平野）的功能。一个功能上重要的部分是杓状软骨的声带突。声带突在声带外展和内收过程中的复杂运动，会对覆盖声门这部分的黏膜产生严重的机械应变。
