Functional Anatomy and Oncologic Barriers of the Larynx

Niv Mor; Andrew Blitzer

doi:10.1016/j.otc.2015.04.002

Functional Anatomy and Oncologic Barriers of the Larynx

Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2015 Aug;48(4):533-45. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2015.04.002. Epub 2015 Jun 22.

Authors

Niv Mor¹, Andrew Blitzer²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Mount Sinai Roosevelt Hospital, 425 59th Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10019, USA; New York Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders, Head and Neck Surgical Group, 425 59th Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10019, USA. Electronic address: nivmor73@gmail.com.
² Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Mount Sinai Roosevelt Hospital, 425 59th Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10019, USA; New York Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders, Head and Neck Surgical Group, 425 59th Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10019, USA.

PMID: 26111895
DOI: 10.1016/j.otc.2015.04.002

Abstract

Laryngeal barriers to tumor spread are a product of laryngeal development, anatomic barriers, and enzymatic activity. Supraglottic and glottic/subglottic development is distinct and partially explains the metastatic behavior of laryngeal carcinoma. Dense connective tissues and elastic fibers provide anatomic barriers within the larynx. Laryngeal cartilage contains dense cartilage, enzyme inhibitors, and an intact perichondrium making it relatively resistant to tumor invasion; however, focal areas of vulnerability are created by ossified cartilage and natural interruptions in the perichondrium. Local inflammation and the enzymatic interplay between tumor and host are important factors in the spread of laryngeal tumor.

Keywords: Barriers; Facilitator; Inflammation; Larynx; Tumor.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Glottis / anatomy & histology*
Humans
Laryngeal Cartilages / pathology*
Laryngeal Neoplasms / pathology*
Laryngectomy
Larynx / anatomy & histology*