The morphological and functional characteristics of the innervation of the subglottic mucosa of the larynx

Neurohistological studies of the subglottic mucosa of the larynx in the cat have revealed the presence therein of nerve endings of varying morphology and ditribution. Multichannel electromyographic studies of the effects of afferent discharges from the subglottic mucosal mechanoreceptors on the motor-unit activity of the laryngeal muscles indicated that these receptors exert significant reflexogenic effects on the activity of the laryngeal musculature during quiet breathing. The more important contribution of the subglottic mucosal mechanoreceptor reflexes to laryngeal muscle control during phonation is considered.