HISTOPATHOLOGIC CHANGES IN THE AGING HUMAN CRICOARYTENOID JOINT

Detrimental effects of the natural aging process on the human cricoary tenoid joint have been hypothesized as a possible etiology for the voi ce changes seen in the aging population. Cellular events occurring at the histologic level, such as cricoarytenoid joint erosion or arthriti s may lead to alterations in laryngeal structure which ultimately affe ct its function and performance. Seven normal human larynges of varyin g ages ranging from 29 to 69 years of age were examined histopathologi cally for changes in the cricoarytenoid joint. The synovium, joint spa ce, periarticular muscle, and respiratory epithelium were evaluated fo r the presence of inflammatory changes or edema and degree of vascular ity. The location and amount of ossification, elastin, and collagen fo rmation were also noted. There were no appreciable changes noted in th e synovium or joint space itself with increasing age. No differences w ere observed in the degree of elastin or collagen formation. However, there was progressive cricoid and arytenoid ossification and periartic ular muscular atrophy and fibrosis. These findings suggest that other laryngeal changes may play a greater role in determining senescent voc al quality rather than changes within the cricoarytenoid joint itself.