The effect of cigarette smoke on the vocal cord mucosa of the rabbit: An electron microscopic study.

The effect of whole cigarette smoke on the vocal cord mucosa of the rabbit has been studied with the electron microscope. The epithelium shows variable degrees of hyperplasia, with enlargement of the basal cells. Variable degrees of damage are found in the nerves and muscles in the tunica propria. The relationship between these changes, some endogenous factors in the larynx and the development of cancer are discussed. A possible toxic effect of cigarette smoke on the nerves and muscles of the larynx is mentioned.