Functions of the Macula Flava of the Human Vocal Fold

—Why are Humans Able to Phonate Their Whole Lifetime?—

Abstract

1. The human maculae flavae are involved in the metabolism of extracellular matrices essential for the viscoelasticity of the human vocal fold mucosa, and they maintain the layered structure of the human vocal fold.
2. Human maculae flavae are considered to be an important structure in the growth, development and ageing of the human vocal fold mucosa.
3. Vocal fold stellate cells contained in the human adult maculae flavae were discovered in 2001. They are stellate in shape and possess vitamin A storing lipid droplets.
4. There is growing evidence to suggest that the cells including vocal fold stellate cells in the maculae flavae are tissue stem cells of the human vocal fold, and maculae flavae are a candidate for a stem cell niche.
5. Research into the cells and extracellular matrices in the human vocal fold contributes not only to the basic knowledge of the physiology, pathology and pathophysiology of the vocal fold, but also to basic research in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.