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CC BY 4.0 · Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2025; 29(04): s00451810117
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1810117
Original Research

Laryngeal Dimensions: A Computed Tomography Study

Authors

  • Mohammad Waheed El-Anwar

    1   Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

  • Ali Awad

    1   Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

  • Atef Hussain

    1   Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

  • Ehsan Hendawy 

    1   Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

  • Mohammad A. El Shawadfy

    1   Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

  • Mohamed Ibrahim Abdelzeem Heggy

    2   Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Al Aazhar University, Cairo, Egypt

  • Mohamed Adel Mobasher

    1   Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

Funding The authors declare that they did not receive funding from agencies in the public, private or non-profit sectors to conduct the present study.
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Abstract

Introduction

The computed tomography (CT) details of the dimensions of the larynx are not fully covered in the literature, so it is important to build up a database for the CT measurements of that area in different ethnic groups. Preoperative details provided by CT are crucial prior to any procedure or approach involving the larynx.

Objective

To measure and report the different dimensions of the larynx and vocal cords through CT.

Methods

We analyzed 100 CTs of the larynx (200 vocal cords): axial images were acquired through multiplanar reformation to obtain minute details of all subjects.

Results

The mean anteroposterior (AP) vocal fold length (VFL) was of 16.8 ± 2.6 (range: 11.8–22.9) mm, which was significantly longer in male subjects (mean = 18.4 ± 2.2 mm; range = 10.9–19.8 mm) compared to female subjects (mean = 15.3 ± 1.95 mm; range = 10.9–22.9 mm). The mean width of the subglottic area was of 14.88 ± 2.18 (range = 8.9–21.1) mm, which was significantly wider in male subjects (15.6 ± 2.13 mm; range = 9.1–21.1 mm) compared to female subjects (mean = 14.18 ± 1.99 mm; range = 8.9–17.8 mm). There was a positive correlation between the AP and transverse diameters of the subglotic area with the VFL: the longer the AP and transverse diameters of the subglottic area, the longer the VFL and vice versa.

Conclusion

The present study improves the awareness of surgeons and radiologists of the laryngeal dimensions, and it can be of help to residents in training.

Keywords

vocal fold - larynx - subglottic - thyroid cartilage - computed tomography

Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate

Informed written consent was signed by all subjects after an explanation of the purposes of the study. The subjects, who were all older than 16 years of age, also consented to the publication of the study data. The Review Board of Zagazig University Hospitals approved the study.


Availability of Data and Materials

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.


Authors' Contributions

MWE: suggested and developed research idea; conception, reviewed literature; interpretation, and analysis of collected data; tabulated data, wrote manuscript; assisted in preparing tables and approved submitted version. AA: take patient consent, take IRB approval, kept record of patients' information, data interpretation, and analysis of collected data; assisted in writing methods and revising written manuscript; approved submitted version. AH: reviewed literature; assisted in interpretation and analysis of collected data; assisted in preparing tables and approved submitted version. MIAH: reviewed written manuscript, assist in preparing table, Data analysis, revised manuscript critically for important intellectual content, and approved submitted version. EH: revise written manuscript, revise work, revised manuscript critically for important intellectual content, and approved submitted version. MAE: revise written manuscript, revise work, revised manuscript critically for important intellectual content, and approved submitted version. MAM: modify research idea, collect data, tabulate data, assist in statistical analysis, assist in writing manuscript, data analysis, revised manuscript critically for important intellectual content, and approved submitted version.




Publication History

Received: 12 October 2024

Accepted: 04 June 2025

Article published online:
09 October 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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Bibliographical Record
Mohammad Waheed El-Anwar, Ali Awad, Atef Hussain, Ehsan Hendawy, Mohammad A. El Shawadfy, Mohamed Ibrahim Abdelzeem Heggy, Mohamed Adel Mobasher. Laryngeal Dimensions: A Computed Tomography Study. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2025; 29: s00451810117.
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1810117