Laryngeal atresia: a detailed histologic study.

Laryngeal atresia is a rare, life-threatening anomaly. A case is reported with histological analysis of the deformity. Although there are different theories of glottic development, all authors agree that the primitive glottis is occluded at one time by an epithelial plug. Laryngeal atresia is felt to represent a lack of recanalization of the embryonic larynx. Laryngeal embryology is reviewed and the various types of laryngeal atresia are compared to the stages of laryngeal development.