WHOLE-ORGAN EVALUATION OF COLLAGEN IN THE DEVELOPING HUMAN LARYNX ANDADJOINING ANATOMIC STRUCTURES (HYOID AND TRACHEA)

The collagen composition (types I, II. and III) of the normal developi ng human larynx and trachea was examined by biochemical methods. Autop sy specimens of larynges with attached upper tracheal rings were obtai ned from 28 humans ranging in age from birth to 44 years. The specimen s were randomly collected, but excluded if laryngeal disease existed. The age, sex, and cause of death were documented. Collagen is importan t in the growth, development, repair, regeneration, and structural and functional integrity of the laryngeal framework. A preliminary report of selected cartilaginous components of the larynx was previously pub lished by the authors, which studied the changes in the phenotypic exp ression of the collagen genes in children from the newborn period to 5 years 10 months of age. The current study included all of the functio ning components of the skeletal larynx and trachea. The results of bio chemical examination of these tissues are reported, and the potential clinical significance of the results of the study is discussed.