Apart from a clinical examination including direct laryngoscopy and biopsy, pretherapeutic staging for local extension of laryngeal carcinoma requires computed tomography. The role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to determine its value for detecting invasion of the main laryngeal structures. Histological findings were compared with axial MRI slices to remain in the same plane. A double-blind study of 10 areas of the larynx was performed: vocal muscle, anterior and posterior paraglottic spaces, anterior and posterior laryngeal commissures, anterior and posterior subglottic area, arytenoid, thyroid, and cricoid cartilages. MRI appeared to be the method of choice to detect neoplastic cartilage, and subglottic and commissural invasion. MRI allows a treatment strategy adapted to the areas involved by the laryngeal carcinoma.