Which option correctly contrasts the five-layer vocal fold model with the tissue model?

• A. The five-layer model uses mucosa, ligament, and muscle
• B. The tissue model comprises mucosa, ligament, and muscle
• C. The five-layer model includes epithelium and lamina propria
• D. The tissue model uses the epithelia only

Answer: (B)

The question tests how the vocal fold’s multilayer structure is represented at different levels of detail. The five-layer model separates the surface into five distinct parts: epithelium, superficial lamina propria, intermediate lamina propria, deep lamina propria (often called the vocal ligament), and the thyroarytenoid muscle. In contrast, the tissue model groups these into three broader units: mucosa (the surface covering, combining epithelium and lamina propria), the vocal ligament, and the muscle.

So the statement that the tissue model comprises mucosa, ligament, and muscle best captures this contrast: a three-unit view versus the five-layer, more granular view. The other options either misstate the composition of the five-layer model or over-simplify or misstate what the tissue model includes (for example, claiming it uses epithelia only).