nerological speech disorders

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and definitions related to speech disorders, particularly focusing on voice production and therapy.

Dysphonia

a voice disorder in which the vocal folds cannot vibrate or coordinate normally, leading to abnormal vocal quality, pitch, or loudness

Vocal Fold Paralysis

A condition where one or both vocal folds do not move properly.

Spasmodic Dysphonia (focal dystonia)

a chronic neurological voice disorder that causes involuntary spasms in the muscles of the voice box (larynx) during speech, making it difficult to talk

Essential Voice Tremor (what it is and what it is caused from)

A condition characterized by involuntary rhythmic shaking of the voice.

Dysarthria

Speech disorder resulting from muscle weakness affecting speech production.

Flaccid Dysarthria lesion and voice type

A type of dysarthria characterized by weakness and reduced muscle tone.

lower motor neron lesions

weak breathy hypernasal voice 

Parkinson's Disease

Neurodegenerative disease of

extrapyramidal system

median vocal fold paralysis

0 mm distance from the midline

a specific type of vocal fold paralysis where the paralyzed vocal cord is fixed in the midline, allowing for phonation (speaking) but potentially causing voice issues and breathing difficulties if the airway is compromised

paramedian vocal fold paralysis

1.5 mm from the midline

when one or both vocal cords are immobilized in a partially closed, "midline" position

intermediate vocal fold paralysis 

3.5 mm from the midline 

where the vocal fold is paralyzed in a position between fully open and fully closed, which can result in a breathy or hoarse voice, and potential difficulty swallowing and breathing

partial abduction vfp

7 mm from the midline

when one vocal cord moves abnormally, specifically having limited ability to open during breathing, leading to symptoms like breathiness, voice fatigue, and difficulty projecting the voice

total abduction vfp

9.5 mm from the midline

a condition where the vocal cords cannot open (abduct) due to nerve damage, leading to significant respiratory issues like noisy breathing, shortness of breath, and a high risk of airway blockage

for spasmodic dysphonia: what do they think the related origin is

low key unkown but basal ganglia dysfunction

adductor sd symptoms 

is more common 

Strained voice,

intermittent voice breaks on voiced sounds,

prolonged adduction

Abductor SD symptoms

Breathy and weak, aphonic breaks on

voiceless sounds

you can eaily identify essential voice tremor during

vowel prolongation

essential voice tremor is a tremor of the

true vocal folds

parkinsons disease voice

Hypophonia (Low volume)

• Decreased phonational/dynamic range

• Breathy/Rough/Hoarse

• Vocal tremor

spastic dysarthria lesion and voice type

upper motor neron lesions 

strained and harsh voice 

hyperkinetic dysarthria lesion and voice type

basal ganglia lesion

effortful and strain-strangled speech 

hypokinetic dysarthria lesion and voice type

basal ganglia lesion

weak and breathy voice

ataxic dysarthria lesion and voice type

cerebellar lesions
harsh speech

essential vocie tremor is caused by

Dysfunctional cerebellar motor pathways

What is the difference between unilateral vs. bilateral vocal fold paralysis?

Unilateral = one vocal fold is immobile; Bilateral = both vocal folds are immobile.

What is the difference between abductor vs. adductor paralysis?

Abductor = difficulty opening the vocal folds; Adductor = difficulty closing the vocal folds.

What are common etiologies of vocal fold paralysis?

Viral infection, surgery/trauma (thyroidectomy, cardiothoracic surgery, intubation), congenital causes, neurological disease, tumors, idiopathic cases.

What are key voice symptoms of adductor unilateral vocal fold paralysis

Breathy voice, low volume, low pitch, diplophonia, supraglottic compression.

What are symptoms of abductor unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP)?

Near-normal voice quality, reduced loudness, weak cough.

What factors often exacerbate essential voice tremor?

Emotional and physical stress: anxiety, stress, fatigue.

What might laryngeal examination show in essential voice tremor?

Rhythmic abduction/adduction of vocal folds or vertical laryngeal motion.

What type of tremor is essential voice tremor?

An action tremor.

: How is essential voice tremor typically identified?

Easily perceived during vowel prolongation.

What is the primary voice symptom of essential voice tremor?

Regular modulation of pitch (4–10 Hz) or intensity (~5 dB

Which structures may demonstrate tremor in essential voice tremor?

True vocal folds, soft palate, tongue, pharyngeal wall, false vocal folds.

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What happens to the vocal folds in Parkinson’s disease?

Structure may appear normal or bowed; function may vary.

What are key voice symptoms in Parkinson’s disease?

Hypophonia, reduced phonational range, breathy/rough/hoarse voice, vocal tremor.