Interspecies variations in the histology of toxicologically important areas in the larynges of CRL:CD rats and Syrian golden hamsters.

Specific regions in the rodent larynx exhibit cellular changes in response to inhaled xenobiotics. These regions include the base of the epiglottis, ventral pouch, and medial surfaces of the vocal processes of the arytenoid cartilages. There are interspecies differences among laboratory rodents in the microscopic anatomy of these sensitive areas of the laryngeal mucosa. In CRL:CD strain Sprague-Dawley rats, the mucosa covering the epiglottis differs from that of Syrian golden hamsters. The epithelium covering the base of the epiglottis is relatively thin in rats and is composed of a mixture of cell types, whereas in hamsters it is much thicker and is made up almost entirely of tall ciliated columnar cells. The cartilage supporting the ventral pouch in the larynges of hamsters is much more prominent than in rats and forms a distinct protrusion into the laryngeal lumen at the base of the epiglottis. The purpose of this paper is to describe and illustrate these and other subtle differences in rat and hamster laryngeal anatomy, which may be of toxicologic significance.