Ultrastructure of the ganglion on human internal laryngeal nerve

There is now definite evidence for the presence of a macroscopic ganglion on the human internal laryngeal nerve, with the distribution of its post-ganglionic fibres to the glands in the saccule and to the glands at the root of epiglottis in the vicinity of the opening of the saccule. This ganglion could be identified as early as 14 weeks in human foetal larynx, which contains immature neurons. Seven ganglia, dissected from human laryngectomy specimens and resected for carcinoma larynx, were studied by electron microscopy. Ultrastructurally, the neurons and the synaptic terminals had both small, round, luscent vesicles and dense core vesicles. Symmetrical, asymmetrical and electrical synaptic complexes were noted. A few neurons revealed degenerative changes suggestive of axotomy. The location of the ganglion on the internal laryngeal nerve, a branch of nervus vagus, and ultrastructural demonstration of large and small dense core vesicles and small luscent vesicles in the neurons of this ganglion, lead us to believe that the ganglion is parasympathetic in nature.