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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
Construction and Characterization of a Novel Vocal Fold Bioreactor
Published on: August 1, 2014
Development of the human true vocal fold: depth of cell layers and quantifying cell types within the lamina propria
Mark E Boseley1, Christopher J Hartnick
1Department of Otology and Laryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, USA.
Objectives:
We sought to further describe the development of the 3-layered human vocal fold in children and to quantify macrophage and myofibroblast concentrations in each layer.
Methods:
We used an optical analysis software package to examine 8 longitudinally sectioned human vocal folds that had been fixed in formalin (ages 2 days to 14 years).
Results:
The 2-day-old vocal fold contained only a monolayer of cells. This became a bilayer by 5 months, and a trilayer began to become evident by 7 years. The percent of total depth represented by the superficial layer of the lamina propria (SLP) gradually decreased with age. The SLP made up 22% of the total lamina propria by age 7 years; this percentage approximates that in the adult vocal fold. Macrophages and myofibroblasts were predominately found in the SLP, and began to be apparent by 11 months of age.
Conclusions:
These results help describe the development of human voice and may have implications as to when phonosurgical therapy can be considered for children.
