Senile Changes in the Laryngeal Musculature

Abstract

The larynx of old persons has frequently been examined. However, a perusal of the literature reveals that no two physicians agree in their findings as far as the muscles of this organ are concerned. Kofler 1 mentioned slight atrophy of the muscles, without giving further details, and Imhofer 2 found that the lipoid pigment usually situated around the nuclei of the sarcolemma increased in amount in old persons. Segre 3 found simple atrophy of the adductor and the abductor muscles, characterized by an increase of the nuclei of the sarcolemma and an increase in both the collagenous and the elastic fibers. This atrophy was least marked in the interarytenoid and the vocal muscles. In contrast, Imhofer 4 did not observe an increase in elastic fibers. The cricothyroid muscles showed hypertrophy in the cases of Segre,3 which was considered compensatory, because of the atrophy of the adductor muscles. Carnevale Ricci5 described essentially the same conditions as Segre3 except for the lack of compensatory hypertrophy of the cricothyroid muscles and, in addition, observed fatty degeneration of the laryngeal muscles.Because the changes found in the laryngeal muscles are not sufficient to explain the gross changes of the senile larynx and the characteristic

Aging Thyroarytenoid and Limb Skeletal Muscle: Lessons in Contrast

“…Reduced muscle mass 72,73 Reduced muscle mass 13,14,15,86 Loss of type I and II fibers 79,80 Fiber loss pattern not clearly defined Loss type I, II 14 Atrophy type II fibers [80][81][82] Loss type I only 60,87 Loss type II only 10 Fiber type grouping 72,83 Maintenance of type II fiber size 62,87 Connective Tissue Infiltration of connective tissue 79…”

“…12 Aging often brings about atrophic changes in the TA. [13][14][15] Such changes may alter the linear nature of the vocal fold edge and limit the muscle's ability to contribute fully to voice production.…”

The Aged Voice: A New Hypothesis

“…3, 2005 women). 58,67,68,71,72 All the intrinsic muscles tend to atrophy, meaning that fewer muscle fibers are found in each muscle. In addition, the surviving fibers tend to be thinner and to show significant degenerative changes.…”

The Aging Voice: A Review, Treatment Data and Familial and Genetic Perspectives

“…Attempts to explain the origin of these agerelated changes in the larynx have cited both reduced innervation [96] and blood supply [97]. Reports include increased degeneration of nerve fibers, regeneration of small numbers of neurons, increased size of extracellular space and disruption of the regulatory mechanism of the nerve, specifically in the rat.…”