Dean D. Lewis 189 



Verson** denies the existence of a proper ligamentum ventriculare. 

 He states that the elastic fibers occupying the labium ventriculare have 

 no definite direction. A section made at right angles to the labium 

 reveals some elastic fibers which are separated from each other by 

 numerous glands. Interspersed among the elastic fibers are numerous 

 collagenic fibers. 



Henle '^ describes the ligamenta ventricularia as arising on each side 

 of the ligamentum thyreo-epiglotticum from a connective tissue mass, 

 ■which fills the angle of the thyroid cartilage at this level. 

 Anteriorly, the ligament is an independent band. Posteriorly, the fibers 

 separate to enclose spaces, which lodge glands and fat. In the vicinity 

 of the arytenoid cartilage, between the spina superior and inferior, a band 

 of elastic tissue passes dovmward posterior to the ventricle. This is the 

 ligamentum arcuatum of Tortual. 



Henle's description of this ligament seems to be the most accurate. 

 The elastic fibers arising from the angle of the thyroid cartilage 

 unite to form a distinct ligament in their anterior third. (See Fig. 10.) 

 The ligament is not dense, and the single fibers composing it can be 

 readily recognized. It arises from a connective tissue mass occupying 

 the angle of the thyroid cartilage, which is much smaller than 

 the one at the level of the ligamenta vocalia. In the posterior two-thirds 

 of their course the fibers composing the ligament separate from each 

 other and enclose spaces, in which are lodged numerous glands and fat. 

 The fibers of the ligament anastomose frequently with each other. Nu- 

 merous collagenic fibers are scattered among the fibers composing the 

 ligament. 



The elastic cartilage forming the epiglottis is broken up by numerous 

 glands. (See Fig. 11.) I have attempted to find in this elastic cartilage 

 a definite functional arrangement of the fibers, but this has been impos- 

 sible because of their number and frequent anastomoses. 



The discussion as to the relation existing between the epithelium and 

 elastic tissue of the larynx has been definitely settled by the use of specific 

 stains. The elastic fibers are differently directed in different divisions of 

 the larynx, and bear a different relation to the epithelium in various 

 regions. At the level of the ligamenta vocalia the epithelial cells rest 

 directly upon an elastic fiber layer, which is only arbitrarily separated 

 from the elastic fibers of the ligament. The subepithelial fibers are 



'"Verson: Strieker's Handb. der Lehre von den Geweben des Menschen 

 u. der Thiere. Leipzig, 1871, p. 459. 



='' Henle: Handb. der Eingeweidelehre; p. 254. 

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