[The aging alterations of the arytenoid cartilage]

The aging processes of the arytaenoid cartilage were described. We inspected 58 arytaenoid cartilage at the age of 0 to 91 years. The arytaenoid cartilage consists mainly of hyaline cartilage, whereas the apex, colliculus and the vocal processus consist of elastic cartilage. The cartilage of larynx exhibits changes concerning the cells and the intercellular substance. Chondrocytes show fatty degeneration, the cell density decreased. During the age intercellular substance shows the following changes: albuminoid degeneration, partly loss of intercellular substance with exhibition of well visible collagen fibers, calcification and ossification. Intercellular substance shows basophilic reaction up to the 4th decennium, later the reaction becomes more and more eosinophilic.