Summary
Objectives
An adequate understanding of the evolution of the larynx presumably clarify the physiology
and functional histoanatomy of the present-day human organ. This study investigated
the comparative histoanatomy of the epiglottis and preepiglottic space of the lemur
larynx (a non-human primate without vocal tract).
Methods
Two normal adult ring-tailed lemur larynges obtained from natural death were investigated.
The whole organ serial section technique was employed.
Results
The histologic structures of the lemur epiglottis and preepiglottic space differed
considerably from that of human adults.
The lemur epiglottis was proportionally thick and vertical. It was connected to the
thyroid cartilage anteroinferiorly without an intervening thyroepiglottic ligament
and to the hyoid bone anteriorly with intervening large bundles of collagen fibers,
indicating that the lemur epiglottis does not play the role of retroflection. The
lemur larynges did not have a preepiglottic space.
These findings also reflect the fact that lemurs do not have a descended larynx and
do not acquire the pharyngeal space of the vocal tract.
The lemur epiglottis was composed of fibrocartilage, adipose tissue and a small amount
of elastic cartilage covered with mucosa (lamina propria and pseudostratified ciliated
columnar epithelium). The histologic findings also indicate that the lemur epiglottis
is not flexible and does not play the role of retroflection.
Conclusions
The results of this study are consistent with the hypothesis that, in the process
of evolution, the histologic structures of epiglottis and preepiglottic space likely
change to make the larynx descend and lengthen the pharyngeal space of the vocal tract
for speech production in humans. Moreover, the distribution of the human preepiglottic
space likely allows the epiglottis to more effectively play the role of retroflection
during swallowing in order to prevent aspiration.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 02, 2022
Accepted:
September 6,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2022 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
