The stratified squamous epithelia covering the vocal polyps show variety of histopathologic features from normal to hyperplasia or even keratinization. And there have been many reports about the histo-pathologic characteristics of the vocal polyps. However, a definite answer concerning the pathogenesis of this most common benign disease entity of the larynx has not yet been given. To evaluate the differences between the reaction patterns of cytokeratin in the vocal polyps and the normal vocal folds, we analyzed the paraffin-embedded tissues of 11 cases of vocal polyp and 3 cases of normal vocal fold obtained at surgery by the immunohistochemical technique using five monoclonal antikeratin antibodies. The results showed that the pattern of cytokeratin expression of the vocal polyps were similar to that of normal vocal folds.