Special Histology and Embryology: Practical Course - V. K. Naphanyuk 2001

Respiratory System
Airways
Larynx

The Larynx is an organ of the respiratory tract that is involved not only in airflow conduction, but also in voice production.

The larynx has three layers: 1) the mucous membrane (tunica mucosa); 2) the fibrocartilaginous layer (tunica fibrocartilaginea); 3) the tunica adventitia (tunica adventitia).

The mucous membrane, with the exception of the vocal cords, is lined with pseudostratified ciliated epithelium. The lamina propria of the mucous membrane consists of loose Fibrous Connective Tissue and contains numerous haphazardly arranged elastic fibers. On the anterior surface of the laryngeal lamina propria, there are mixed seromucous glands (gll. mixteae seromucosae). In the middle part of the larynx, there are folds of the mucous membrane that form the true and false vocal cords. These folds are covered with stratified squamous epithelium.

The fibrocartilaginous layer is formed by hyaline and elastic cartilages surrounded by Dense Fibrous Connective tissue.

The adventitial layer is formed by collagenous connective tissue containing a high concentration of Collagen fibers.

The larynx is separated from the Pharynx by the epiglottis, the framework of which is composed of elastic Cartilage. On both surfaces of the epiglottis, the mucous membrane is covered with stratified squamous epithelium. The lamina propria on the anterior surface of the epiglottis forms a significant number of papillae that project into the epithelium; on the posterior surface, the papillae are short and the epithelium is lower.



Last update: 10/08/2026

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