Abstract
In South Korea, the elderly population is rapidly growing, projected to reach 20.6% by 2025. With increased social engagement among older individuals, the demand for voice-related interventions rises. Age-related changes in these structures impact vocal function and quality. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these changes is crucial for developing effective therapeutic approaches. The aging of the larynx occurs in each part of the cartilage, muscles, and vocal folds. The change in cartilage is most prominently characterized by ossification, which begins in the twenties and accelerates significantly after the age of 60. This ossification is particularly evident in the thyroid and cricoid cartilages. Muscle aging is characterized by a decrease in muscle fiber diameter, a reduction in gender differences, an increase in the proportion of type I muscle fibers, along with a decrease in myocyte function and the deposition of extracellular matrix and adipocytes. In the vocal folds, collagen increases, while type III collagen, which is involved in healing, decreases. Additionally, collagen production and breakdown decrease, as well as hyaluronic acid levels and factors involved in mucosal vibration, such as surface elastic fibers.
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