Vocal Folds

The link to Vocal Fold Paralysis an Paresis is another website that provides with you with information regarding the disorder. It also provides you with a video clip of a person with a paralyzed left vocal fold. It also provides you with a few other pictures to go with the information that is provided.

http://www.ucdvoice.org/paresis.html

Voice Problems

Understanding Vocal Cord Paresis/Paralysis is an important factor when dealing with vocal cord dysfunctions. It is important to know the difference between partial paresis of the cords and complete paralysis of the cords. Anyone of any age group or sex can develop Vocal Cord Paresis/Paralysis. The symptoms are common among most patients. They experience voice problems such as hoariness, airway problems and swallowing issues. Treatment can be voice therapy or surgery.

The website gives you a breakdown of understanding the disorder, symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, highlights, and frontiers. It also provides you with a glossary of keys words and pictures so you can have a better and complete understanding of the disorder.

http://www.voiceproblem.org/disorders/paresis/index.asp

Vocal Cord Facts

Vocal cord paresis and paralysis result from deviant nerve involvement to the voice box muscles. Paralysis is the complete disturbance of nerve impulse resulting in no movement of the muscle; Paresis is limited interruption of nerve impulse resulting in frail or peculiar activity of laryngeal muscle(s). Vocal fold movements are an outcome of synchronized spasm of assorted muscles. These muscles are controlled by the brain through a precise set of nerves. The nerves that accept these signals are the: Superior laryngeal nerve (SLN), which carries signals to the cricothyroid muscle, located between the cricoid and thyroid cartilages and the Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) carries signals to different voice box muscles responsible for opening vocal folds (as in breathing, coughing), closing vocal folds for vocal fold vibration during voice use, and closing vocal folds during swallowing. Even with advances in diagnostic technology, physicians are unable to detect the cause in about half of all vocal fold paralyses. These cases are referred to as idiopathic (due to unknown origins). Known reasons for injury can include:
Inadvertent injury during surgery
Complication from endotracheal intubation
Blunt neck or chest trauma
Tumors of the skull base, neck, and chest
Tumors of the skull base, neck, and chest
Symptoms of Vocal Fold Paralysis/Paresis consist of:
Voice changes
Airway problems
Swallowing problems
Determining whether one or both vocal folds are affected is critical in the treatment plan. The two treatment strategies to enhance vocal function are voice therapy, the equivalent of physical therapy for large muscle paresis/paralysis; and phonosurgery, an operation that repositions and/or reshapes the vocal fold(s) to improve voice function.

http://www.entlink.net/HealthInformation/vocalChordParalysis.cfm