[Vascularization of the larynx. Update of classical anatomic data from an anatomical study of 100 subjects]

The study was conducted after arterial and venous neoprene latex injection to 100 fresh subjects. Three laryngeal arteries are constant: superior, inferior and posterior. The superior laryngeal artery is of variable origin: in 84% of cases it arises from superior thyroid artery. Anastomoses between the three laryngeal pedicles and the muscle territories supplied by the arteries are described. Vascularization of cartilages is according to a precise plan and cricothyroid and cricoarytenoid joints are the site of constant arterial anatomoses. Origin of superior laryngeal artery fluctuates due to sliding phenomena. The notion of a neurovascular pedicle is fundamental: it is formed by the neural crest derivation and the corresponding artery, that is to say the artery and nerve of a branchial arch. This is to be compared with the notion of pure musculocutaneous and glandular pedicles. The larynx is a junctional zone between 4th and 6th branchial arches and is integrated with the cervicocephalic system of aortic arches.