Most common site in larynx for sarcoidosis is:
**Core Concept:** Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous inflammatory disorder that affects multiple organs, particularly the lungs and lymph nodes. In the larynx, the most common site is the false vocal cords, which are also known as the arytenoids.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** Sarcoidosis in the larynx, known as laryngeal sarcoidosis, usually affects the false vocal cords, which are composed of two cartilaginous bodies called arytenoids. These arytenoids are connected by a thin cartilaginous band called the interarytenoid cartilage, which is responsible for maintaining the distance between the two arytenoids. When the inflammatory process occurs in these structures, it leads to hoarseness and stridor, which are the primary symptoms in this case.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. The true vocal cords (cordae tensa) are also involved in laryngeal sarcoidosis, but they are not the most common site. The true cords are thicker and covered by mucosa, making them less susceptible to inflammation.
B. The epiglottis is not the most common site for laryngeal sarcoidosis, as it is a relatively less involved site compared to the arytenoids.
C. The pyriform sinuses are located in the lateral walls of the larynx and are not the most common site for laryngeal sarcoidosis. The main involvement of pyriform sinuses is seen in other conditions like laryngitis or adenoiditis.
D. The cricoid cartilage is not the most common site for laryngeal sarcoidosis, as it is a relatively less involved site compared to the arytenoids.
**Clinical Pearl:** Laryngeal sarcoidosis may present with hoarseness, stridor, or dysphonia, which is crucial for the diagnosis and understanding the disease's manifestations.
**Correct Answer:** D. Cricoid cartilage
**Explanation:** In laryngeal sarcoidosis, the most common site is the arytenoids (A), as they are thin, cartilaginous structures covered by mucosa, making them more susceptible to inflammation and granuloma formation. In contrast, the cricoid cartilage (D) is a stronger, more robust structure, which is less likely to be involved in sarcoidosis.
While both the arytenoids and cricoid cartilage are part of the larynx, the arytenoids are more commonly affected in laryngeal sarcoidosis due to their anatomical and histological characteristics, leading to the clinical symptoms described.