Page 668 - Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations

seromucous glands (8) whose excretory ducts open onto the epithelial surface

(7). Numerous lymphatic nodules (2), blood vessels (1), and adipose cells (1)
are also located in the lamina propria (3) of the false vocal fold (9).

The ventricle (10) is a deep indentation that separates the false (superior)
vocal fold (9) from the true (inferior) vocal fold (11–13). The mucosa in the
wall of the ventricle (10) is similar to the false vocal fold (9). Lymphatic nodules

(2) are more numerous in this area and are sometimes called the laryngeal
tonsils. The lamina propria (3) blends with the perichondrium (5) of the hyaline
thyroid cartilage (4). There is no distinct submucosa. The lower wall of the
ventricle (10) makes the transition to the true vocal fold (11–13).

The mucosa of the true vocal fold (11–13) is lined with a nonkeratinized
stratified squamous epithelium (11) and a thin, dense lamina propria devoid of
glands, lymphatic tissue, or blood vessels. At the apex of the true vocal fold is
the vocalis ligament (12) with dense elastic fibers that extend into the adjacent
lamina propria and the skeletal vocalis muscle (13). The skeletal thyroarytenoid

muscle and the thyroid cartilage (4) constitute the remaining wall.

The epithelium in the lower larynx changes to pseudostratified ciliated
columnar epithelium (15), and the lamina propria contains mixed seromucous
glands (14). The hyaline cricoid cartilage (6) is the lowermost cartilage of the

larynx.

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