Age changes in the human laryngeal cartilages

Abstract

Various changes in the human laryngeal cartilages have been studied by the naked eye, radiology, and histology in 28 dissecting room and 20 autopsy specimens (21 male and 27 female) ranging from 14 to 101 years. Except for one 14-and one 20-year-old specimen, radiographic signs of calcification occurred in all and were found in hyaline cartilaginous tissue of the thyroid, cricoid, arytenoid, and the variably occurring triticiate cartilages. A series of stages has been established indicating the pattern of spread of the process in the thyroid cricoid and arytenoid cartilages. Minor differences between the sexes were found in the thyroid and the cricoid, and some correlation was noted between sites of calcification with sites of muscle attachment and sites of greatest mass. The degree of involvement was not, however, found to be a reliable index of age, with wide variations occurring between individuals. Histology showed various degenerative processes, including calcification, but also revealed the occurrence of actual ossification even in some younger specimens. However, some foci of cartilage always persisted even when ossification was well advanced. Naked eye examination detected regions within the cartilages where ossification was well established, dark areas being produced by the presence of marrow. The remaining tissue was found histologically to be composed of cartilage, which might be calcified or might even contain small foci of bone. Radiology was an accurate method for detection of calcification and ossification, which were sometimes distinguishable, larger masses of calcified cartilage having a dense uniform radiographic appearance unlike the trabecular pattern of bone.

Asymmetric Mineralization of the Arytenoid Cartilages in Patients without Laryngeal Cancer

“…10,11 This is in concordance with the hypothesis that the order of ossification is affected by the distribution of mechanical forces applied to the laryngeal cartilages, 8 because the lateral and posterior cricoarytenoid muscles attach to the lateral part (muscular process) of the arytenoid.…”

“…5,6 Hyaline cartilages undergo changes with time, with progressive enchondral ossification. 7,8 Histopathologic studies demonstrated that the stage of the calcification and ossification is widely affected by age. 9 The order of ossification is affected by the distribution of the mechanical forces applied to the laryngeal cartilages.…”

“…9 The order of ossification is affected by the distribution of the mechanical forces applied to the laryngeal cartilages. 8 Ossification begins first in the superior border of the lamina in the cricoid cartilage followed by the apex, body, and muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage, with the exception of the vocal process.…”

Calcification of the cartilaginous Eustachian tube

“…Calcium deposition can occur with aging and various pathologic processes [1] with cartilaginous ossification or calcification often found in the elderly, including bronchial cartilage [2], laryngeal cartilage [3], and various articular cartilages [4].…”

Subglottic region: Normal topography and possible clinical implications

“…Ossification of the cricoid cartilage starts about the age of 20 years in men and 22 years in women and is first observed in the region of the cricoarytenoid joint (Chievitz, 1883;von Lanz and Wachsmuth, 1955) and the superior border of the lamina (Turk and Hogg, 1993). Ossification then spreads along the entire superior rim of the arch and involves the cranial portions of the cartilage.…”