Vocal folds

Synonyms

Vocal folds, plicae vocales
Sometimes incorrectly called vocal cords, which are actually only part of the vocal folds.

General

The vocal folds are two tissue structures covered by mucous membrane inside the larynx, between which the glottis is located and which are an important part of the voice-forming apparatus for the production of our voice (Phonation) are jointly responsible.

construction

Both Vocal folds it is a paired organ.
You are from three Layers built up:

All Inside is the Vocalis muscle (Vocal muscle):
This muscle ensures that the tension and thickness of the vocal folds can change, which is necessary in order to be able to produce different sounds. He is also in direct contact with Muscle cricothyroidus, which can also vary in its length and tension, creating a very differentiated apparatus, which both the pitch as well as the volume the voice regulates.

Outside on the vocal muscle lies the so-called Lamina propria which can be broken down again:

in a deep,
one middle and one upper Section.

It is a layer of connective tissue, which in this case is made up of many elastic fibers.

From Thyroid cartilage (Cartilago thyroidea) until Cartilage (Cartilago arytaenoidea) this connective tissue forms a band-shaped structure towards the middle, which is known as Vocal cord (Vocal ligament) designated.

The overlying surface forms a Mucosal layer (Mucosa). In the area of the vocal folds this does not consist of a ciliated epithelium, as in the rest of the larynx, but of one multilayered, uncorned Squamous epithelium.

Between this epithelium and the muscles, more precisely in the upper layer of the lamina propria, there is a narrow space, the "Reinke room". This space ensures that the connective tissue and the epithelium can move against each other (marginal edge displacement). When a liquid collects in this space, it is called one Reinke-edema.

The glottis

Between the two Vocal folds is the Glottis (Rima glottidis). This opening is either typical, depending on the position of the vocal folds triangle- or gap-shaped or as good as closed.

During the Breathing the glottis is on furthestbecause only air has to flow through here.
When forming sounds, the Vocal folds are brought into different positions in their position to each other by the adjusting cartilage and then contracted to different degrees by the vocal muscle, so that the formation of various different Pitches and Volumes is possible.

At the Speak meet the Vocal folds several times in the middle of each other. With particularly high notes, the vocal folds can open and close more than a thousand times per second.

"false vocal folds"

Above the vocal folds are also paired Pocket folds (Plicae vestibulares), which is also called "false vocal folds" designated. These can also be used under special circumstances Voice training can be used, but this creates a rougher, more likely pressed sounding voice emerges.

Larynxoscopy

If the vocal folds are to be examined, this is usually done using a Larynxoscopy.

A larynx mirror (Laryngoscope) introduced into the throat, through which the doctor either directly or indirectly (depending on the device used) the larynx consider and judge can. For more specific questions, a Stroboscope are used. This means a Light flash device, which makes it possible to assess the oscillation of the vocal cords more precisely. In addition, a Laryngograph Record how the vocal cords vibrate.

Vocal fold diseases

Besides the above Reinke edema the vocal folds can also be impaired in various other diseases.

At a Laryngitis are the vocal folds typically reddened and swollenwhich changes its vibration pattern. This creates the characteristic hoarse, dark Voice sound in this disease. You can find out more about the topic here: swollen vocal cords

There are also:

Vocal fold polyps,
Vocal cord nodules and Vocal cord cysts,

all of which are benign thickenings of the vocal folds. They are usually also noticeable through hoarseness and / or a changed voice, sometimes combined with a feeling of pressure in the throat. They can be cured well with either voice exercise treatment or surgery.

Not a very common one, however serious Illness is that Vocal cord cancerwhich usually only becomes noticeable in advanced stages through symptoms similar to those of the diseases mentioned above. In the worst case scenario, the diagnosis of vocal cord cancer requires removal of the entire vocal cord cancer Larynx occur.

Importance of the vocal folds in artificial ventilation

The vocal folds are also of great importance in the endotracheal intubation (Airway management).

The tube must be direct between the two vocal folds must be placed through the glottis to lie correctly and successfully Ventilation to enable. A sure sign of the correct position of the tube is when you can see how it disappears between the two vocal folds. Both placement and control are under laryngoscopic View.