A histological study of the vocal fold mucosa of 64 larynges obtained from autopsies of subjects ranging from 70-104 years of age is reported. When the results are compared to the authors' studies of younger age groups significant differences are observed. Comparisons of larynges of the same age also reveal sex differences. In males, the membranous vocal fold tended to shorten, the cover tended to thin, the intermediate layer of the lamina propria tended to thin in association with atrophy of

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... astic fibers, and the deep layer of the lamina propria tended to thicken in association with an increase in collagenous fibers. In females, these tendencies were less marked, and the superficial layer of the lamina propria tended to become edematous and thickened.