Cartilages and Ligaments of the Adult Human Larynx

Abstract

The present report is of an investigation of the range of normal distribution in the shape, size, and configuration of the human laryngeal cartilages and in the size, symmetry, and placement of the articulations and ligaments of these cartilages. The study involved dissection of the larynges of ten white men, and ten white women with the aid of a binocular dissection microscope. The study indicated significant patterns in the adult human laryngeal cartilage configurations with respect to sex, symmetry, size, and anatomical interrelationships. Speculations on vocal fold length adjustments were made based on examination of the cricoarytenoid and cricothyroid articulations and their ligaments.