A comparative investigation of the histological structure of the vocal fold mucosa was conducted with 11 different mammalian species. The results are summarized as follows:
(1) The histological structure of the lamina propria of the vocal fold mucosa significantly varies between the mammalia investigated.
(2) The lamina propria can be divided into a certain number of layers according chiefly to the distribution and density of fibrous components in all the mammalia studied except for one. Men, horses, monkeys, guinea pigs, oxen and rats have 3 layers, while dogs, pigs, rabbits and sheep have 2 layers. Only cats present a single layer.
(3) Structures equivalent to the human anterior and posterior maculae flavae are found in the following 6 animals: dogs, monkeys, cats, guinea pigs, oxen and rats. The elastic fibers in the lamina propria are continuation of these flavae. In the other 4 animals, i. e. horses, pigs, rabbits and sheep, no such structures as maculae flavae are observed.
(4) All the species investigated have an anterior commissure tendon which consists of collagenous fibers. Most collagenous fibers in the lamina propria run between this tendon and the perichondrium of the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilage.
(5) It should be emphasized that reasonable interpretation of data obtained from animal experiments on phonation calls for a thorough understanding of the differences in vocal fold7structure between men and the animals employed.
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