Terms A-E | Terms F-J | Terms K-O | Terms P-S | Terms T-Z

 A B C D E

Glossary: Terms A-E Image blue exclamation point

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A

Abductor SD (Ab-SD)
Spasms in muscles that open vocal folds and interrupt speech, causing breathy or soundless voice breaks
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Acid and Enzymes
Within the stomach, these are chemical substances that help break up (digest) food. An increased level of acid (measured by low pH) can lead to stomach ulcers, heartburn, and esophagitis
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Acute
New and relatively short in duration
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Advanced Laryngeal Cancer
T3 = complete non-movement of one vocal fold; T4 = invades thyroid cartilage or structures outside of the voice box
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Airway Symptoms
Breathing complaints
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Anterior Commissure
A dye used in photodynamic therapy that is activated and results in chemical alteration of said dye converting it to a form that can kill cells which contain the activated dye
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Aphasia
Difficulty verbally expressing words, although the individual knows what he wants to say
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Aphonia
Complete voice loss
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Articulation
The junction between two or more bones
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Artificial Ventilation
Machine-assisted breathing
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Arytenoid Cartilages
Pair of pyramid-shaped cartilages to which the vocal folds are attached in the back of the voice box; spaced well apart for normal breathing; come together for sound production
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Arytenoid Fixation
Restricted joint motion of the arytenoid joint that can lead to abnormal-sounding voice and even incomplete closure of the vocal folds, which can lead to aspiration
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Aspiration
Choking or coughing when swallowing food, drink or even saliva that “goes down the wrong way” (entering the breathing passage)
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Axial Rotation
An abnormal tilt of the vocal folds during high pitch sound-making
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B

Barium Swallow Esophagram
X-ray imaging of the food pipe during swallowing
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Barrett’s Esophagus
A specific type of abnormal surface appearance of the esophagus due to replacement of the normal surface cells; often seen as an ulcer and can be premalignant
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Basal Ganglia
A part of the brain that is likely involved in spasmodic dysphonia (SD); located deep in the cerebral hemispheres and the upper brainstorm
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Basement Membrane
A layer of extracellular material upon which the surface cells rest
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Bilateral
Exists on both sides
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Biopsy
A test in which a physician removes a small piece of the possibly abnormal tissue to examine under a microscope
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Botulinum Toxin, Type A (BoTox)
A short-lasting medical formulation that can be injected into the vocal fold to temporarily limit mobility (can be used to treat vocal fold granuloma
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Bronchoscopy
Examination of the airway above the lungs using an instrument (scope) that also allows for biopsy and culture
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Broyle’s Ligament
The anterior commissure tendon (see Anatomy & Physiology of Voice Production)
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Capillaries
Blood vessels that connect larger vessels and together form a network within the body
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C

Ceruloplasmin
An important “player” in the metabolism of copper, Ceruloplasmin transports and maintains appropriate levels of copper in tissues; in Wilson’s Disease, low levels of ceruloplasmin are seen
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Chronic
Long term
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Chronic Cough
A cough that has lasted an abnormally long time
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Chronic Intermittent
Goes away, then returns again – even several months to years later
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Compounding Conditions
A condition that can complicate an existing abnormality or make it worse
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Computed Tomography (CT)
A specialized radiologic imaging technique that allows visualization of soft tissue and bone with greater detail than a simple x-ray
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Condyloma
A papilloma; a wart-like growth
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Coup Deglotte
Forceful starts to phonation
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Cricoarytenoid Joint
The junction between the cricoid and arytenoid cartilages in the voice box
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CT Scan
Computed tomography scan
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D

Delayed Esophageal Clearance
When esophageal muscle contraction is weak or uncoordinated, moving the food into the stomach is delayed
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Delayed Emptying
An abnormally slow movement of stomach contents into the small intestine (could be a sign of stomach muscle malfunction)
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Diagnosis
The determination of the cause of a disease
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Diaphragm
Muscle separating the chest and abdomen
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Diplophonia
Double voice, sounds like a “gargle voice”
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Direct Laryngoscopy
Direct visualization of the larynx by speculum/mirror or laryngoscope
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Distinguishable Sound
Sound converted to voice and words
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Double-Probe pH Monitor
Test that uses a small tube placed through the nose into the food pipe with two sensors that measure acid levels
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Dysarthria
Difficulty forming words; presenting with imprecise consonants, hard-to-understand speech as observed in patients with stroke
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Dysfluent Speech
Abnormal speech pattern of stuttering or stammering
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Dyspepsia
Heartburn or discomfort after eating
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Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing
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Dysphonia
An impairment of voice
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Dysphonia Plica Ventricularis
A condition in which sound is made using the false vocal cords
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Dysplasia
A disorderly pattern of cell maturation
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Dyspnea
Difficulty breathing
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Dystonia
A nervous system problem that causes involuntary movement; dystonia is not a psychological problem; spasmodic dysphonia (SD) is a type of dystonia
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E

Early Cancer
T1=affects only one site on larynx, no spread, normal vocal fold motion; T2=involves more than one site of larynx, vocal fold function abnormal but still moving
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Edema
Medical term for swelling within the body
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Effortful Phonation
Need to work harder than usual to speak, sing, or do voice tasks
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Electrodes
Special fine needles that measure electrical activity during muscle activity in certain voice box muscles
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Electrolarynx
A handheld device that enables speech after a laryngectomy by producing an external vibration that mimics the vibration of the vocal cords. Using this vibration to create sound, the individual can then form words using their mouth, tongue, lips, and palate
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Electromyographic Abnormalities
Abnormalities in the electrical signals of the muscles of the larynx
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EMG Electrode
Specialized electrodes for electromyography
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Empiric Therapy
Trial of treatment that often helps determine diagnosis
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Endoscope
A specialized tube-scope to view the voice box
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Endoscopically
Visualization of the esophagus and stomach using a camera at the end of a long tube that is inserted in through the mouth and throat
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Endoscopic Guided Approach
Surgery performed endoscopically
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Endotracheal Intubation Trauma
Irritation from placement of a breathing tube
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Endotracheal Tubes
Breathing tubes
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Epithelium
The layer of surface cells covering the larynx
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Erosive Esophagitis
Inflammation and irritation along the food pipe that eats away at the surface
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Erythema
Medical term for abnormal redness
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Esophageal Strictures
Abnormal narrowings along the food pipe
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Esophagitis
Inflammation of the esophagus
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Esophagoscopy
Use of a specialized tube-scope (camera) to view the esophagus
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Esophagus (food pipe)
The “food pipe”; muscular tube that connects throat to stomach; actively moves swallowed food/drinks into the stomach
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Essential Vocal Tremor
Wobbly or shaky voice characterized by breaks and stops occurring with regularity
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Excisional Biopsy
Removal of part or all of the abnormal tissue for microscopic examination
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Extralaryngeal Speech Techniques
Alternative methods for voice for patients who no longer have a voice box, such as after total laryngectomy
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