THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF RAT LARYNGEAL EPITHELIA

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 130  (MAY) , 617-632
Abstract
Histology, ultrastructure and surface topography of rat laryngeal epithelia are described. Five epithelial types are identified. Stratified squamous epithelium is found over most of the epiglottis, arytenoid projections and lateral ventricles. The vocal folds are covered by a low squamoid type of epithelium. Respiratory epithelium, similar to that found elsewhere in the respiratory tract, occupies all the mucosa caudal to the vocal folds, small areas at the base of the epiglottis and along the inner aspects of the arytenoid projections. Two forms of relatively unusual pseudostratified cuboidal epithelium are present in the ventrolateral aspect at the level of arytenoid projections and within the ventral pouch. Non-myelinated, intra-epithelial nerve fibers are found throughout the larynx and are abundant in areas at the base of the epiglottis covered by respiratory epithelium and to a lesser extent in the cuboidal epithelium of the ventral pouch. Globule leukocytes are frequently found in respiratory epithelium, less frequently in cuboidal epithelium and rarely in squamous areas.