Squamous epithelium in the subglottic region of paediatric larynges

A macroscopic staining method was used to display and measure the extent of squamous epithelium in the subglottis of stillborn babies and of babies less than 3 months old. Squamous epithelium was found to be present in some babies without a previous history of intubation (3 of 8) and in some stillborn babies (3 of 11). Squamous epithelium in the subglottic space of the human is thus present at birth.