Laryngitis pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Anthony Gallo, B.S. [2]

The voice box (larynx) is located at the top of the airway to the lungs (trachea). The larynx contains the vocal cords. When the vocal cords become inflamed or infected, they swell. This can cause hoarseness, and may sometimes block the airway.

• Laryngitis is the result of an immunological sequelae to an infection, generally an upper respiratory viral infection.
• During an infection, activated antigen-presenting cells, such as macrophages, present the antigen to helper T cells.
  • Helper T cells subsequently activate B cells and induce the production of antibodies against the virus.
• The antibodies may also act against the affected larynx, producing the symptoms of laryngitis.^[1]

• There are no genetic predispositions to the development of laryngitis.

• Laryngitis is associated with upper respiratory infections, which include common cold, influenza, pharyngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis, and epiglottitis.

On gross pathology, redness, swollen cords, and purulent discharge are characteristic findings of laryngitis.

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On microscopic histopathological analysis, polymorphonuclear neutrophils are characteristic findings of laryngitis.