Upper Airway Flashcards
What are the three components of vocalization?
1) Origination- diaphragm and intercostals
2) Vibration- extrinsic and intrinsic muscles of larynx (vocal fold manipulation)
3) Resonance- Supraglottis and oral cavity
How does the abdomen influence vocalization?
Supported expiratory force
How does the diaphragm influence vocalization?
Inspiratory force and fine regulation
How does the autonomic nervous system influence vocalization?
Mucus production and voice stability (affected by beta-blockers)
What innervates the vocal folds?
Cerebral cortex, vagus nerve, superior laryngeal nerve, recurrent laryngeal nerve.
Why does vocal pitch change with age?
The vocal cords descend which lengthens the vocal tract and lowers the pitch.
What is dysphonia?
A general alteration in the voice, laryngeal source
What is dysarthmia?
Alteration in rhythm, enunciation, or articulation, neurological/muscular source
What causes stridor?
Obstruction
What causes stretor?
Snoring sound, from nose, oropharynx, throat
Differentiate between inspiratory, expiratory, and biphasic stridor
Inspiratory- supraglottic/extrathoracic
Expiratory- trachea/large bronchi
Biphasic- laryngeal/immediate subglottis
What causes hoarseness?
Viral laryngitis, reflux, vocal abuse, allergies, chronic cough, nodules, polyps, trauma, age, neuro disorders, smoking, malignancy
When do you evaluate hoarseness?
Lasts longer than 2-3 weeks, or associated with pain, coughing up blood, difficulty swallowing, palpable mass, complete loss of voice for more than a few days.
