Occurrence of osteoarthritis is a frequent event of limb joints in people over 40 years of age. The human cricoarytenoid joint is comparable with the joints of the limbs despite its structure and extracellular matrix composition. To date, little is known about the occurrence of osteoarthritis in the human cricoarytenoid joint.
Sixty-eight cricoarytenoid joints (42 male and 26 female, age 25-98 years) were analysed by means of histology, lectin histochemistry, immunohistochemistry as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy.
About 50% of the investigated cricoarytenoid joints aged over 40 years show degenerative changes in their joint surface structure at varying levels of intensity. The articular cartilage surface is fibrillated in some places and sometimes shows fissures. A demascing of collagen fibrils next to the joint surface and a loss of proteoglycans in the upper cartilage layers can be observed. Chondrocytes near the joint surface appear as voluminous chondrocyte clusters. The clusters and the superficial cartilage layer show a positive reaction to type VI collagen antibodies. The distribution patterns of lectins are completely changed in fibrillated cartilage areas.
Degenerative alterations in diarthrodial joints resembling osteoarthritis can occur in the joints of the larynx. These structural changes of the articular cartilage are comparable to osteoarthritis of the limb joints. Osteoarthritis in the cricoarytenoid joint may lead to impaired movements of the arytenoid cartilages. Functionally the structural changes may lead to negative consequences during vocal production, such as impaired vocal quality and reduced vocal intensity.