What’s So Special About the Human Larynx?

Jeff Laitman (PhD, DMedSci (Hon), FAAAS, FAAA, FALA) is regarded as one of the leading anatomists in the world, having pioneered new ways to understand human anatomy and its evolution, as well as how to teach it. The focus of his research is to uncover special features of human anatomy that distinguish us from other animals, particularly those of the throat: how it differs from those of other animals, how it changes during development, and what it may have looked like during our evolution. His work has contributed to understanding the origins of human speech and language as well as shedding light on the anatomical basis for clinical disorders such as the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS, Crib Death) or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

Dr. Laitman is Distinguished Professor of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai where he is also the Director of the Center for Anatomy and Functional Morphology, Professor of Otolaryngology, and Professor of Medical Education; he is also Professor of Anthropology of the City University of New York. He is Past-President of the American Association of Anatomists (AAA), Past-President of the Association of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Neurobiology Chairpersons (AACBNC), and Senior Associate Editor of The Anatomical Record. Dr. Laitman has been elected a Fellow, Honorary Member, received Honorary Degrees and awards, or had those named in his honor, from Mount Sinai and from societies and universities around the globe. He is regarded as an extraordinary teacher and mentor, and many of his medical and graduate students have gone on to distinguished careers in medicine, science, and government. Recognized as both a scholarly and stimulating speaker, Dr. Laitman is regularly sought to speak around the world.