LARYNX
Description:
Also known as the voicebox or glottis, air will travel from the pharynx into the larynx and eventually into the trachea. It is mostly made of cartilage and is connected with ligaments. It is separated into three sections: The supralarynx, the larynx, and the sublarynx. Its primary role is to vibrate the vocal cords when producing sound as air passes through it, but it also has an epiglottis to protect food from entering the organ.
Diseases and Conditions
Vocal Cord Paralysis
One of the nerves in the larynx, the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) can be damaged. Unilateral RLN palsy allows compensation from other nerves and only results in hoarseness, but bilateral palsy impairs phonation.
Vocal Cord Nodules
Non-cancerous lesions grow on the vocal cords, affecting singers and jobs that require speaking.
Vocal Cord Hemorrhage
After strenuous use of the voice, a blood vessel can rupture, causing the flow of blood into the vocal cords. The result is the loss of voice temporarily.
Spasmodic dysphonia
Muscles in the larynx unexpectedly contract with spasms, causing a strained voice and breaks in speech.