vocal cord

vocal cord
Either of two folds of mucous membrane that extend across the interior cavity of the larynx and are primarily responsible for voice production.

Sound is produced by the vibration of the folds in response to the passage between them of air exhaled from the lungs. The pitch of sound varies with the degree of vocal-cord tension. Sounds are then modified by the tongue, palate, and lips to produce speech. When at rest, the vocal cords lie apart, forming a V-shaped opening (glottis) through which air is breathed. The folds located just above the vocal cords are termed the vestibular or false vocal cords because they are not involved in voice production. Inflammation (as from excessive use) limits the normal contraction of the vocal cords, resulting in hoarseness.

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Latin  Plica Vocalis,  

      either of two folds of mucous membrane that extend across the interior cavity of the larynx and are primarily responsible for voice production. Sound is produced by the vibration of the folds in response to the passage between them of air exhaled from the lungs. The frequency of these vibrations determines the pitch of the voice. The vocal cords are shorter and thinner in women and children, accounting in part for their higher-pitched voices. See speech.

      The ventricular folds, located just above the vocal cords, are sometimes termed false vocal cords because they are not involved in voice production.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • vocal cord — noun either of two pairs of folds of mucous membrane projecting into the larynx (Freq. 1) • Syn: ↑vocal fold, ↑vocal band, ↑plica vocalis • Hypernyms: ↑fold, ↑plica • Hyponyms …   Useful english dictionary

  • Vocal cord — One of two small bands of muscle within the larynx. These muscles vibrate to produce the voice. The vocal cords form a V inside the larynx, a 2 inch long, tube shaped organ in the neck: {{}}We use the larynx when we breathe, talk, or swallow. Its …   Medical dictionary

  • Vocal cord dysfunction — (VCD) is a condition that affects the vocal cords in which it is characterized by vocal cord closure usually during inspiration. This closure may cause airflow obstruction and wheezing. This syndrome can mimic asthma and can lead to an inaccurate …   Wikipedia

  • Vocal cord paresis — Infobox Disease Name = PAGENAME Caption = DiseasesDB = ICD10 = ICD9 = ICD9|478.30 ICDO = OMIM = MedlinePlus = eMedicineSubj = ent eMedicineTopic = 347 MeshID = D014826Vocal cord paresis (or paralysis) is weakness of one or both vocal folds that… …   Wikipedia

  • Vocal cord dysfunction — Klassifikation nach ICD 10 J38.7 Sonstige Krankheiten des Kehlkopfes …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Vocal Cord Dysfunction — Klassifikation nach ICD 10 J38 Krankheiten der Stimmlippen und des Kehlkopfes, anderenorts nicht klassifiziert …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Vocal cord dysfunktion — Klassifikation nach ICD 10 J38 Krankheiten der Stimmlippen und des Kehlkopfes, anderenorts nicht klassifiziert …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Vocal cord paralysis — Inability of one or both vocal folds (vocal cords) to move. The paralysis is usually due to damage to the nerves going to the vocal cords or due to damage to the brain itself. In more technical terms, vocal cord paralysis may result from lesions… …   Medical dictionary

  • vocal cord — noun Either of two pairs of folds of mucous membrane stretched horizontally across the human larynx whose vibrations help to produce the voice. Syn: vocal band, plica vocalis …   Wiktionary

  • vocal cord — chord in the throat used for speaking …   English contemporary dictionary

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