Liran Oren1, Sid Khosla2, Ephraim Gutmark3. 1. Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Neurosensory Disorder Center at UC Neuroscience Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A.. orenl@ucmail.uc.edu. 2. Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Neurosensory Disorder Center at UC Neuroscience Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A. 3. Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Voice disorders, such as unilateral vocal fold paralysis or paresis, and vocal fold scarring feature structural asymmetries of the vocal folds. Studies on how structural asymmetries affect voice has mostly been limited to computational simulations and experiments on mechanical models. The purpose of the current study is to examine the effects of asymmetries in left-right position, height, and length of the vocal folds on the intraglottal flow characteristics, as well as acoustics in the canine larynx model. STUDY DESIGN: Basic science. METHODS: Measurements of intraglottal flow velocity fields were taken in excised canine larynges using particle image velocimetry. Asymmetries of the vocal folds are induced by translating the vocal processes in space using a prong apparatus connected to a micrometer. RESULTS: Asymmetries in length height and abduction produced a reduction in the intraglottal vortices strength and subsequently the glottal efficiency. CONCLUSION: Current findings can affect future recommendations for surgical interventions that are used to treat unilateral vocal fold paralysis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 126:2534-2538, 2016.
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Voice disorders, such as unilateral vocal fold paralysis or paresis, and vocal fold scarring feature structural asymmetries of the vocal folds. Studies on how structural asymmetries affect voice has mostly been limited to computational simulations and experiments on mechanical models. The purpose of the current study is to examine the effects of asymmetries in left-right position, height, and length of the vocal folds on the intraglottal flow characteristics, as well as acoustics in the canine larynx model. STUDY DESIGN: Basic science. METHODS: Measurements of intraglottal flow velocity fields were taken in excised canine larynges using particle image velocimetry. Asymmetries of the vocal folds are induced by translating the vocal processes in space using a prong apparatus connected to a micrometer. RESULTS: Asymmetries in length height and abduction produced a reduction in the intraglottal vortices strength and subsequently the glottal efficiency. CONCLUSION: Current findings can affect future recommendations for surgical interventions that are used to treat unilateral vocal fold paralysis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 126:2534-2538, 2016.