Larynx, hypopharynx & trachea
Benign tumors / nonneoplastic
Laryngeal cysts
Author: Nat Pernick, M.D.
Last author update: 1 November 2013
Last staff update: 17 August 2023 (update in progress)
Copyright: 2002-2023, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Cysts larynx
Cite this page: Pernick N. Laryngeal cysts. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/larynxcyst.html. Accessed September 26th, 2023.
Definition / general
- Ductal (75%) or saccular (24%); lined by squamous or respiratory mucosa or both
- Ductal cyst:
- Due to dilation of mucous glands
- Small, superficial, usually in true vocal cord or epiglottis
- Laryngocele:
- Air containing dilation of tip of ventricle that communicates with ventricle via a narrow stalk
- Either internal or external or both
- May become infected and accumulate pus (laryngopyocele)
- Oncocytic cyst:
- Type of ductal cyst lined partially or completely by oncocytes
- Often has papillary infoldings
- May recur
- Rarely is diffuse within the larynx
- Saccular cyst:
- Due to distention of laryngeal saccule
- Large, deep, often within ventricle
- May cause neonatal airway obstruction
- Contains mucus
- Tonsillar cyst: squamous lined crypt-like structure with abundant lymphoid follicles in cyst wall
Microscopic (histologic) images
Images hosted on other servers:
3 types of laryngocele
