MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF VOCAL FOLD STRUCTURES-EPITHELIUM, LAMINA PROPRIA, AND MUSCLE-IN THE ELDERLY: A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE SEXES

Ano: 2013 | Volume: 17 | Número: Suplemento

Autores: Pessin ABB, Gramuglia ACJ, Chaves DNJ, Meira GP, Martins RHG, Matheus SMM, et al.

Resumo Inglês:

OBJECTIVE: To study the epithelium, lamina propria, and vocal muscle dimensions of the elderly through morphometry and to compare sexes. METHODS: Fifty-eight vocal cords (35 men and 23 women) were removed during necropsy, and these were allocated to 3 groups: a control group, a group of those aged 60-75 years, and a group of individuals aged 76-90 years. The vocal folds were processed and stained with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS). The thickness of the epithelium and lamina propria and the diameter of the muscle fibers were measured by morphometry using Image J software. RESULTS: A gradual decrease in the thickness of the lamina propria was observed with increased age in both sexes (Female - GC- 482.803µm; 60-75-359.469µm and 76-90 years- 349.410µm; Male - GC- 492.458µm; 60-75- 374.499µm and 76-90 years- 362.753µm). The muscle fibers diameter, has also showed a decrease in both sexes with the age (Female - GC- 15.821µm; 60- 75-15.762µm and 76-90 years- 15.205µm; Male - GC- 15.755µm; 60-75- 15,575 m and 76-90 years- 15.295µm). The epithelium thickness of elderly women was lower than that of the controls, but there was no significant difference between the subgroups of elderly (GC- 56.323µm; 60-75- 43.661µm and 76-90 years- 45.460µm).CONCLUSION: Presbyphonia causes thinning of the lamina propria and vocal muscle fiber diameter in both sexes, but epithelial changes are more prevalent in women.