Paraganglia of the human recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLNs) from human autopsy material were collected and prepared for light microscopy. Within five of eight investigated RLNs, paraganglia-like organs were found, the mean cross-sectional area of which was estimated to be 0.03 mm2. These organs were composed of cells resembling the type I and type II cells of the carotid body. The possible function of laryngeal nerve paraganglia is discussed.