Hyoepiglottic ligament (a morphological study and functional considerations)

ABSTRACT

We have analyzed 56 larynx from male and female adult human cadavers by dissection. Twenty-seven were non-fixed and twenty-nine fixed with formaldehyde. Sixteen non-fixed larynges were also histologically studied. We have observed a fibrous trapezoidal structure linking the hyoid bone to the epiglottis with a transverse and laminar characteristic. This structure has a larger insertion on the hyoid extremity and besides its midline region is thicker than its sides. This fibrous band connects the hyoid bone cranially, with the epiglottis caudally, following an oblique direction. Histologically this fibrous structure is formed by collagenous and elastic tissue. There are more collagenous tissue on the hyoid extremity. Analyzing the relations and morphology of the hyoepiglottic ligament we have concluded that this strong ligament should be considered an important structure in hyolaryngeal dynamics.