|
This video shows the function of a
larynx
which has paralysis of both
true vocal cords.
The patient was a very heavy smoker and developed lung cancer. First,
the patient's left cord became paralyzed and then his right. As can be
seen in the video, the cords quiver but do not consistently touch each other
during
phonation.
The patient has an
adductor muscle
paralysis (the
true vocal cords
are
lateral
and not touching in midline). In this type of
paralysis, the patient has a good airway but a very weak voice. If the
nerves (recurrent
laryngeal nerves) to
the vocal cords were completely transected, the patient would have primarily
an
Abductor Muscle
paralysis with the cords touching each
other in the midline. In this case, the patient's voice would be
strong but he would have severe airway obstruction.
|
