Morphology of the Subepithelial Mucous Glands in the Adult Human Larynx

Abstract

From 10 macroscopically normal larynges from adult persons the mucosa was removed in toto, stained with PAS-alcian blue, and the morphology of the subepithelial glands were studied. The glands presented as simple, tubular, usually purely mucous, or as larger, branched, sero-mucous tubular-alveolar. Their orifices were in areas lined with squamous or columnar epithelium. Three different types of main excretory ducts were observed, the commonest of equal caliber throughout, the other two with ampullar or funnel-shaped distensions.