Latin sacculus laryngis FMA 64172 | TA A06.2.09.011 | |
Laryngeal saccules or laryngeal ventricles are soft tissue masses located between the vocal folds and the lateral wall of the larynx in canines. Their function is not well understood, but in brachycephalic breeds the saccules can become everted and protrude into the laryngeal opening, causing symptoms such as snoring, noisy breathing, coughing, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath in affected dogs.
Contents
Role in airway disease
Chronic airway obstruction (caused by stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, or other conditions) can evert the laryngeal saccules, aggravating existing breathing problems. Prolonged airway stress can pull laryngeal walls inward, further obstructing the airway and causing swelling and irritation of the laryngeal membranes. Tracheal collapse may also contribute to the vicious cycle of airway obstruction → airway changes → worse airway obstruction.
Surgical removal
Laryngeal sacculectomy may involve snipping the saccules out with scissors or snaring them with a wire loop, or the saccules may be removed with the use of a laser, thus allowing a dog afflicted with airway disease to breathe better, if not normally.