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

Glossary: Terms P-S

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P

Pachyderma
Thickening of the tissues in between the vocal folds at the back of the larynx
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Papilloma
Wart-like growth caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV)
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Paralysis
Complete loss of nerve input to a muscle, resulting in complete loss of muscle function
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Paresis
Partial paralysis; partial loss of nerve input to a muscle, resulting in muscle weakness
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Partial Laryngectomy
Surgery to remove part of the larynx while attempting to keep voice production
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Pathologist
Physician that examines tissues and cells (e.g., from biopsies), often using a microscope, to determine complete diagnosis
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Pathology Analysis
Examination of tissues and cells to determine full diagnosis, often done using a microscope
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Pedunculated
Wart-like tumor with a slim stalk
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Pepsin
Stomach enzyme
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Peristalsis
Esophageal muscle contractions that move food through
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pH Levels
Acid levels
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Pharyngo-esophageal Tract
Throat (pharynx) + food pipe (esophagus)
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Phonation
Making sound to speak
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Phonomicrosurgery
Highly specialized surgery to improve voice (phonosurgery) using microsurgical techniques and highly magnified views (microsurgery) to provide microscopic detail
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Phonosurgery
Surgery to improve or maintain voice
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Phonotrauma
Trauma to the larynx caused by (sometimes abusive) vocal usage
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Photosensitizing Dye
A dye used in photodynamic therapy that, when activated by a specific frequency light, results in chemical alteration converting it to a form that can kill targeted cells
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Physiatrist
A physician specializing in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions using elements such as light, heat, water, electricity, etc.
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Physiology
The science and study of the function of living beings
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Pitch
The frequency within sound production (high or low)
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Polypoid Corditis
Another term for Reinke’s edema
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Positron Emission Tomography
Test that can help assess function by measuring electric charges; more technically, tomography in which a cross-sectional image of some part of the body is obtained by measuring distribution of gamma radiation when positrons and electrons collide
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Post-Cricoid Space
The space behind the cricoid cartlage
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Post-Nasal Drip
Feeling of a drip in the back of the throat
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Posterior Laryngitis
Inflammation of the back of the voice box
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Pre-Epiglottic Space
The space in front of the epiglottis
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Primary Tumor
The first tumor in development; the original site of a spreading cancer
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Prosody
The variation in stress, pitch, and rhythm of speech
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Proton Pump Inhibitors
Stomach acid reducers
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Psychogenic Dysphonia
An impairment of voice caused by mental factors
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R

Radiofrequency Ablation
A type of radio wave surgery
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Radiographic Imaging
Tests that allow films (pictures) of the inside of the body (e.g., X-ray, CT scan, MRI, etc.)
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Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve (RLN)
Branch of vagus nerve to voice box muscles that open and close vocal folds
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Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP)
Wart-like growths in the airway passages caused by the human papilloma virus; these growths usually form on the vocal folds, causing a voice disorder
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Reflux
Backflow of stomach fluids which contain acid and enzymes
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Refluxers/Upright Refluxers/Daytime Refluxers
Patients with reflux laryngitis in whom the backflow of stomach fluids occurs in the upright (sitting/standing) position; often not associated with heartburn
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Reflux Laryngitis
Voice disorder caused by backflow of stomach fluids to the throat and voice box area; a type of supraesophageal GERD
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Reflux Precautions
Lifestyle changes that a patient follows to minimize backflow of stomach fluids (reflux) such as (but not limited to) sleeping with the head elevated, refraining from lying down after a meal, refraining from foods that increase acidity in stomach fluids, or refraining from foods associated with relaxation of the esophageal sphincter
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Reinke’s Edema
“Swelling in Reinke’s space”; voice disorder from accumulation of gelatinous substance in Reinke’s space
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Reinke’s Space (Superficial Lamina Propria)
Vocal fold layer right underneath its surface lining; really not an empty space—a layer in the vocal fold comprised of cells, special fibers and substances (extracellular matrix); has key role in vocal fold vibration
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Resistance
In this context, loss of drug effect
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Resonance
The personal quality of one’s voice which results from the action of the vocal tract (throat [pharynx], oral cavity, nasal cavities) on the basic sound produced by the vocal folds. This is what differentiates people’s voices
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Respiration
The act of breathing
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Respiratory Papillomatosis
A viral infection of the vocal folds that can be a precursor to atypia or cancer (see also Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis)
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Rigid Laryngoscopy
An examination of the voice box in which a rigid telescope is used; this examination provides the clearest magnified detail of the voice box, but the patient is unable to speak or sing during the exam
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S

Scarring
A thickening, or fibrosis, that occurs as part of healing of injured tissues
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Selective Laryngeal Abbuctor Denervation-Reinnervation
Operation in which nerves to two non-working muscles that close (adduct) the vocal folds are cut (denervated) and replaced (renervated) with nerves from muscles that are normal
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Sensory Nerves
Nerves that carry signals of sensation to the larynx and other parts of the body (see also motor nerves)
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Sessile
The wart-like tumor with no stalk
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Smoker’s Laryngitis
Another term for Reinke’s edema; often associated with a history of smoking
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Spasmodic Dysphonia
Voice disorders caused by muscle spasm
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Speech Disorder
Malfunction of the tongue and/or lip muscles resulting in garbled words or parts or words
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Stridor
Noisy breathing, usually caused by obstruction or narrowing of the airway; stridor is a sign of difficulty passing air – any breathing difficulty needs immediate medical attention
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“Stripping”
A “radical” surgical procedure that removes (“strips”) the top layers of the vocal folds resulting in severe vocal fold scarring and abnormal voice; due to the resultant damage, this procedure is currently rarely used
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Stroboscopy
An examination in which a strobe light is combined with rigid or flexible laryngoscopy to produce a slow motion-like view of vocal fold vibration and vocal fold closure
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Stroke
A condition in the brain caused by too little or too much blood supply, resulting in poor function of the parts of the body controlled by the affected areas of the brain
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Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Cancer composed of a certain type of cell called squamous cells, usually found in lining cells
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Subglottic Larynx
Below the glottis
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Subglottic Stenosis
A narrowing below the vocal folds
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Subglottic Tumor
A tumor in the larynx below the glottis
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Subglottis
Below the glottis (area of the vocal folds)
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Superficial Lamina Propria
Top layer of the laminae propria that plays a key role in vocal fold vibration; loosely structured; located just underneath the cell lining (epithelium) covering the vocal fold
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Superior Laryngeal Nerve (SLN)
Branch of vagus nerve to cricothyroid muscle involved in control of pitch
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Supraglottic Larynx
Above the glottis
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Supraglottic Tumor
A tumor in the larynx above the glottis
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Supraglottis
Above the glottis (area of the vocal folds)
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Surgical Excision/Surgical Resection
Removal through a surgical procedure
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Symptoms
Common complaints of a condition
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