Video post. Discussion with a colleague about vocal cord weakness — reviewing how to identify LCA paresis by focusing on the movement and position of the vocal processes. YouTube link.
Migration note: Connects to the Neurolaryngology section (Part II Structural) and Part III Laryngoscopy.
Home›Clinical & Educational›Anatomy of the Voice Box Accessible anatomy introduction. Three functions of the larynx: regulate breathing, create sound, keep food out of lungs. Describes thyroid cartilage (Adam’s apple), cricoid cartilage, hyoid bone, and how testosterone thickens/elongates vocal cords lowering pitch. Written from a café observation scene with a Japanese-speaking couple. References the book. Migration…
Home›Clinical & Educational›What Is Voice? Faith N. Metsan’s first appearance — voice disappears suddenly over an afternoon. Dr. Marcus Goodew doesn’t look at vocal cords. Defines voice: “a sound produced by vibration and amplified by resonance; no vocal cords are required.” Violin analogy — anything vibrating in audible range has a voice. Two components: sound…
Home›Clinical & Educational›What Is Voice? Faith N. Metsan’s first appearance — voice disappears suddenly over an afternoon. Dr. Marcus Goodew doesn’t look at vocal cords. Defines voice: “a sound produced by vibration and amplified by resonance; no vocal cords are required.” Violin analogy — anything vibrating in audible range has a voice. Two components: sound…
Home›Clinical & Educational›Anatomy of the Voice Box Accessible anatomy introduction. Three functions of the larynx: regulate breathing, create sound, keep food out of lungs. Describes thyroid cartilage (Adam’s apple), cricoid cartilage, hyoid bone, and how testosterone thickens/elongates vocal cords lowering pitch. Written from a café observation scene with a Japanese-speaking couple. References the book. Migration…
Home›Clinical & Educational›Assessing Your Doctor’s Diagnosis Patient empowerment post. Three questions to assess diagnostic quality: Do I understand the explanation? Do I understand why the intervention should work? Do I understand what my physician is uncertain about? The larynx obeys the laws of physics — a mechanical valve and vibrating string. Accurate diagnosis should be…
Home›Clinical & Educational›Summary of Vocal Capabilities Vocal capabilities pattern matching — the most substantive blog post. Four patterns: (1) Vocal cord margin swellings (impairment at low volume, high pitch = lower right quadrant), (2) RLN paresis anterior branch (low pitch, low volume = lower left), (3) Vocal cord bowing (impairment at low volume across range),…
