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

An investigation was carried out to determine the histologic structure of the maculae flavae of human adult vocal folds. Excised human adult larynges served as the materials for this study. Light microscopic, scanning, and transmission electron microscopic observations were made. The results are summarized as follows. 1) The maculae flavae are located at the anterior and posterior ends of the bilateral vocal folds. Vocal fold ligaments run between the anterior and posterior maculae flavae. 2) The maculae flavae are elliptical in shape and about 1.5 x 1.5 x 1 mm in size. 3) The maculae flavae are composed of fibroblasts, elastic fibers, collagenous fibers, and ground substance. 4) Fibroblasts in the maculae flavae synthesize, and occasionally engulf, the elastic and collagenous fibers. 5) The maculae flavae seem to control the synthesis of fibrous components in the vocal ligament.