Summary As one of the key fibrous proteins in the extracellular matrix, collagen plays a significant role in the structural and biomechanical characteristics of the vocal fold. Anchored fibrils of collagen create secure structural regions within the vocal folds and are strong enough to sustain vibratory impact and stretch during phonation. This contributes tensile strength, density, and organization to the vocal folds and influences health and pathogenesis. This review offers a comprehensive summary for a current understanding of collagen within normal vocal fold tissues throughout the life span as well as vocal pathology and wound repair. Further, collagen’s molecular structure and biosynthesis are discussed. Finally, collagen alterations in tissue injury and repair and the incorporation of collagen-based biomaterials as a method of treating voice disorders are reviewed.

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The larynx, trachea, and esophagus share origin and proximity during embryonic development. Clinical and experimental evidence support the existence of neurophysiological, structural, and functional interdependencies before birth. This investigation provides the first comprehensive transcriptional profile of all three organs during embryonic organogenesis, where differential gene expression gradually assembles the identity and complexity of these proximal organs from a shared origin in the anterior foregut. By applying bulk RNA sequencing and gene network analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) within and across developing embryonic mouse larynx, esophagus, and trachea, we identified co-expressed modules of genes enriched for key biological processes. Organ-specific temporal patterns of gene activity corresponding to gene modules within and across shared tissues during embryonic development (E10.5-E18.5) are described, and the laryngeal transcriptome during vocal fold development and maturation from birth to adulthood is characterized in the context of laryngeal organogenesis. The findings of this study provide new insights into interrelated gene sets governing the organogenesis of this tripartite organ system within the aerodigestive tract. They are relevant to multiple families of disorders defined by cardiocraniofacial syndromes.