Comparison of the Phonation-Related Structures among Pig, Dog, White-Tailed Deer, and Human Larynges

Abstract

There is an important need for good animal models of the larynx for the study of the physiology of phonation. The dog's larynx has been used as an animal model for more than 2 centuries of phonatory research. However, there is some evidence that the pig larynx has advantages over the dog larynx as a model of phonation. Another larynx that is readily available is the deer larynx. In this comparative study, the laryngeal anatomy and function were examined in 4 species--human, pig, dog, and white-tailed deer. Particular attention was directed to those structures that one would predict could affect phonation, from the anatomic and biomechanical point of view. Although the vocal fold length was similar for all 4 species, the larynges described differed in some phonation-related characteristics. The data suggest that from a structural perspective, the pig larynx is a superior model for phonatory research.

Investigation of Experimental Wound Closure Techniques in Voice Microsurgery

“…The vocal folds have a similar configuration, and the intrinsic muscles and distribution of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is similar as demonstrated by detailed dissections of cadaveric porcine laryngeal neuromuscular anatomy (Knight, McDonald et al 2005). Other phonatory characteristics such as rotational mobility of the cricothryoid joint, and relative size and innervation of the cricothyroid muscle have also been studied and found to be similar to that of humans (Jiang, Raviv et al 2001); although these features are not of direct relevance to endoscopic laryngeal microsurgery.…”

“…Based on our experience with pig models, the dimensions of the larynx in a 30 to 40 kg pig are similar to that of the adult human (Garrett, Coleman et al 2000;Jiang, Raviv et al 2001). The vocal folds have a similar configuration, and the intrinsic muscles and distribution of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is similar as demonstrated by detailed dissections of cadaveric porcine laryngeal neuromuscular anatomy (Knight, McDonald et al 2005).…”

“…In a similar study, Jiang et al (Jiang, Raviv et al 2001) concluded that pigs models provided the most similarity in vocal fold stiffness and was a reasonable alternative for phonation studies. As pigs are a common livestock, the high availability of pig larynges from local abattoirs poses less of an ethical concern for sacrificing animals for research purposes.…”

“…Various animal models have been used extensively in vocal fold studies with their results compared across models (Garrett, Coleman et al 2000;Jiang, Raviv et al 2001;Titze and Alipour 2006;Alipour and Jaiswal 2007;Alipour and Jaiswal 2008;Bless and Welham 2010;Alipour, Jaiswal et al 2011). Three of the more commonly used models in operative studies are rabbits (Thibeault, Gray et al 2002;Thibeault, Bless et al 2003;Branski, Rosen et al 2005;Carneiro and Scapini 2009;Campagnolo, Tsuji et al 2010), dogs (Garrett, Coleman et al 2000;Fleming, McGuff et al 2001;Rousseau, Hirano et al 2003;Karajanagi, Lopez-Guerra et al 2011) and pigs (Blakeslee, Banks et al 1995;Garrett, Coleman et al 2000;Jiang, Raviv et al 2001;Alipour and Jaiswal 2008;Fonseca, Malafaia et al 2010).…”

“…Three of the more commonly used models in operative studies are rabbits (Thibeault, Gray et al 2002;Thibeault, Bless et al 2003;Branski, Rosen et al 2005;Carneiro and Scapini 2009;Campagnolo, Tsuji et al 2010), dogs (Garrett, Coleman et al 2000;Fleming, McGuff et al 2001;Rousseau, Hirano et al 2003;Karajanagi, Lopez-Guerra et al 2011) and pigs (Blakeslee, Banks et al 1995;Garrett, Coleman et al 2000;Jiang, Raviv et al 2001;Alipour and Jaiswal 2008;Fonseca, Malafaia et al 2010). …”