Vocal Cords
Vocal cords are two flaps that stretch across the larynx. They vibrate in the air that passes through the larynx which produces the sounds we know as the human voice. The vocal cords respond to the air pressure that pushes through the flaps. When there are different air pressures behind the cords, they vibrate at different frequencies which produce the sound waves of the voice that we hear. These puffs of air that produce sound waves from the voice are called triygergonus.
Vocal injuries can be caused by many things such as, overuse of the cords, smoking, cancer and surgical operations. If the vocal cords are damaged severely, it is difficult to do surgery and still have them be to the same caliber as they had been in the past. Usually when the cords heal, there is a scar that is left behind which can cause a deformity of the cords when they have to close together. This can cause it to be harder to work your vocal cords, vocal fatigue, breathlessness, and dysphonia which is a disorder in speech.
One disorder of the vocal cords is laryngitis. Laryngitis is probably the most common vocal cord disorder caused by excessive use of the cords, harmful inhalants, infection, and stomach acid that was backed up into the larynx. Another disorder that is common among singers is vocal nodules. These are often caused by overuse and are small calluses that usually grow in pairs on both cords where the flaps vibrate together the most frequently. They cause the voice to be low, hoarse, and breathy. Similar to vocal nodules are vocal polyps which are non-cancerous growths that are similar to blisters which cause the same problems as nodules.
The most common vocal cord problem is vocal cord paralysis. This is when one or both of the cords is permanently stuck in one position. This can cause the person to have difficulty swallowing and coughing. It also causes a problem in that food and other things can easily pass into the lungs and cause death. This sometimes life threatening disorder can be caused by things like head, neck, and chest trauma, complication during surgery, stroke, tumor, lung or thyroid cancer, neurological disorders like Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis, or a viral infection. Treatment for vocal cord paralysis can include surgery of voice therapy. However, sometimes treatment is unnecessary and the person can recover on their own.
Vocal cord disorders can be discovered if the patient discovers that their voice sounds hoarse or different for two weeks. After this they should get medical attention. To diagnose a vocal disorder, the doctor may use a layrngoscope to look at the vocal cords through a camera that is inserted through the nasal cavity. If paralysis is prevalent, the doctor may perform a laryngeal electromyography which measures the electric frequency of vocal cords. To treat any disorder, the patient may have to rest their voice for a period of time, treatment from a speech therapist, medication, or surgery if growths are prevalent.