Larynx, hypopharynx & trachea

Benign tumors / nonneoplastic

Laryngeal cysts



Last author update: 1 November 2013
Last staff update: 17 August 2023 (update in progress)

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PubMed Search: Cysts larynx

Nat Pernick, M.D.
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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

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3 types of laryngocele

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Image 01 Image 02