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Histologic study of ossification of the thyroid cartilage

The process of ossification and formation of bone marrow occurs in the larynx cartilages with age. The knowledge of this change is important for differentiation with cartilage invasion by cancer. AIM: Cranial and caudal segments of the thyroid cartilage were obtained from adult male larynges in order to evaluate comparatively the histological changes regarding to the ossification and the bone marrow formation. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Seven male adult larynges were obtained from cadavers underwent necrological examination in Posto Médico-Legal de Santos, da Polícia Civil do Estado de São Paulo. The ages ranged from 39 to 60, with median of 53. There were no available data about tobacco and alcohol consumption. The specimens underwent decalcification and stained with H-E. Histometry was performed for quantitative analysis of the ossification while the bone marrow was analyzed according to qualitative criteria (presence or absence). RESULTS: The average ossification was 42.8% and the bone marrow presence was observed in 57.1% in the cranial segments. In the caudal segments, the average ossification was 72.8%, and the bone marrow was detected in 87.5% of the specimens. CONCLUSION: The ossification in the thyroid cartilage and the bone marrow formation increase and occur earlier moving downward from the cranial to the caudal aspects.

larynx; thyroid cartilage; ossification


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