Histologic investigation of the macula flava of the human newborn vocal fold.

This investigation was carried out to determine the histologic structure of the maculae flavae of human newborn vocal folds. Light microscopic and transmission electron microscopic observations were made with excised human newborn larynges. The results are summarized as follows. 1) Immature maculae flavae were present at the anterior and posterior ends of the bilateral vocal folds. 2) They were round in shape and about 1 x 1 x 1 mm in size. 3) The maculae flavae were composed of fibroblasts, elastic and collagenous fibers, and ground substance. 4) The fibroblast density was great. 5) In newborn maculae flavae, fibroblasts actively started to form elastic and collagenous fibers. 6) The macula flava of the newborn appears to be an important structure in the growth and development of the vocal ligament.