points to ponder: What happens if one of your vocal folds become paralyzed? Flashcards
Paralysis of one or both vocal cords can be the result of a tumor that adversely affects which nervre?
vagus nerve
what does the vagus nerve innervate?
the muscles that control movement of the arytenoid cartilages that ultimately affect the vocal cords
trauma to the laryngeal area resulting in cord paralysis could have occurred by what?
intubation or surgical procedures in the laryngeal region
how could unilateral vocal cord paralysis occur?
damage to the left recurrent laryngeal nerve, the branch of the vagus nerve that passes from the brain stem into the chest, around the arch of the aorta, and back up the neck to the larynx
A branch of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve innervates the posterior ___________ muscle, which is the only muscle that causes lateral movement of the left arytenoid cartilage and tightening of the left vocal fold.
cricoarytenoid
true or false: the right laryngeal nerve is longer and loops around the aorta
false: shorter; no loop
what are symptoms of unilateral cord paralysis?
hoarse voice, difficulty breathing during physical activity
why is laryngeal hemiplegia common in horses?
The much longer neck of these horses increases the likelihood that the left recurrent laryngeal nerve can be damaged or become dysfunctional.
what happens when, rather than being retracted laterally when maximal airflow into the lungs is needed during racing, with a horse that has laryngeal hemiplegia?
the left arytenoid cartilage and vocal fold partially obstruct the rima glottis, causing a loud noise during inspiration, “roarers”
what is the relationship between hyperventilation and PCO2 and pH?
they blow off more CO2 which reduces PCO2 in the blood and increases pH
people who experience panic attacks are hyper responsive to what?
CO2 inhalation, they are triggered when they inhale gases enriched in CO2
true or false: patients that experience panic attacks tend to generate higher concentrations of lactic acid in their brains than healthy people
true
specific areas of the brains of people who experience panic attacks are more sensitive to local accumulation of acid, how?
either because carbon dioxide promotes a decrease in pH or because local concentrations of lactic acid become excessive
how can aerobic exercise improve people who suffer from panic attacks?
the increased respiratory rate associated with these activities will reduce PCO2 and the mechanisms responsible for removing lactic acid from the circulation may improve
who invented the spirometer?
John Hutchinson
