Voice Disorders Lecture Notes

A set of flashcards covering key definitions and concepts related to voice disorders including mechanical, neurologic, and dysfunctional categories.

Mechanical disorders

Voice disorders caused by physical abnormalities in the larynx.

Neurologic disorders

Voice disorders linked to issues within the nervous system, either lower motor neuron or CNS upper motor neurons.

Dysfunctional disorders

Voice disorders without an obvious organic problem, often referred to as functional or psychogenic.

Muscle tension dysphonia (MTD)

A disorder characterized by excess effort and stiffness in the vocal folds, typically in the absence of organic issues.

Type 1 MTD

Characterized by reduced amplitude and asymmetry in vocal folds as seen on endoscopy.

Type 2 MTD

Involves approximation of ventricular folds, allowing them to vibrate together with true vocal folds.

Type 3 MTD

Involves anterior-posterior compression of the larynx, with epiglottis approximation to the arytenoids.

Type 4 MTD

Complete closure of the larynx with extreme tightness, also resembles spasmodic dysphonia.

Conversion aphonia

A psychogenic disorder where an individual stops producing voice without any evident organic cause.

Mutational falsetto

A disorder wherein a post-pubescent male continues to speak in a high pitch typical of pre-pubescence.

Spasmodic dysphonia

A dystonia affecting voice production, characterized by involuntary spasms in the larynx.

Paradoxical vocal fold motion (PVFM)

A condition where vocal folds adduct during inhalation, causing airway obstruction and symptoms similar to asthma.

Irritable larynx syndrome (ILS)

A loose category of disorders including chronic cough and globus syndrome thought to be due to hypersensitivity of the larynx.