Dissection plane of the human vocal fold lamina propria and elastin fibre concentration

To determine whether a natural plane of dissection occurs in the normal hum an vocal fold, semi-blunt instruments (Bouchayer laryngeal dissectors) were used to dissect the lamina propria. The depth of the plane of dissection w as correlated with the elastin fibre concentration to determine whether the plane occurred at a predictable point in the elastin concentration as it i ncreased between the superficial and middle layers. Eight human larynges we re dissected using an operative microscope. The dissection plane consistent ly occurred between 23-50% depth into the lamina propria. No consistent cor relation was found with the elastin fibre concentration. The depth of the p lane of dissection has an interesting association with age: dissection plan es occurred more superficially in older specimens.