Morphological characterization of the false vocal cords as larynx-associated lymphoid tissue.

The lymphoid follicles (LF) found in the false vocal cords (FVC) protect the upper air tracts, similar to the lymphoid tissue associated to the respiratory mucosas. However, studies that characterize the phenotype of cells like larynx-associated lymphoid tissue (LALT) are lacking. We analyzed the FVC of autopsied adults according to morphometric and immunohistochemical criteria and defined their possible role as LALT.