Voice produced by false vocal cord due to non functioning of true cords is seen in
**Question:** Voice produced by false vocal cord due to non-functioning of true cords is seen in
A. Laryngeal nerve injury/paralysis
B. Vocal cord paresis
C. Vocal cord atrophy
D. Vocal cord polyp or nodule
**Correct Answer:** A. Laryngeal nerve injury/paralysis
**Core Concept:**
The larynx is a crucial part of the respiratory system, responsible for producing voice and protecting the trachea from foreign particles. The true vocal cords (lamina propria) and the false vocal cord (arches of cilia) are the primary components involved in vocal cord movement.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**
The true vocal cords are controlled by the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), which arises from the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X). When the RLN is injured or paralyzed, the true vocal cords fail to vibrate properly, resulting in hoarseness or loss of voice. In this situation, the false vocal cord, which is innervated by the posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscle, tries to compensate by closing the glottis more to maintain airway patency. However, this leads to a high-pitched, harsh voice, often referred to as a "goose-like" or "frog-like" voice.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
**A. Vocal cord paresis:** Although a correct term for a partially paralyzed vocal cord, it does not accurately describe the situation where the false vocal cord compensates for the non-functioning true cords.
**B. Vocal cord paresis:** Similar to option A, this term refers to partial function, not the situation of true cords' non-functioning and false cords compensating.
**C. Vocal cord atrophy:** Atrophy is a decrease in size or tissue, which does not explain the compensatory mechanism of the false vocal cord in case of true cords' non-functioning.
**D. Vocal cord polyp or nodule:** These are benign growths on the vocal cords, not related to the compensatory mechanism when true cords are not functioning.
**Clinical Pearl:**
In clinical practice, this condition is known as "Stroboscopy," a non-invasive examination using a special lighted instrument (stroboscope) to visualize the vocal cords and detect any abnormalities (e.g., polyp, nodule, or paralysis). This helps in diagnosing the underlying issue causing the hoarse voice and guiding the appropriate management.
**Explanation:**
A high-pitched, harsh voice is a clinical presentation of a condition where the true vocal cords fail to vibrate due to injury or disease affecting the recurrent laryngeal nerves. In response, the false vocal cord (PCA muscle) contracts, narrowing the vocal cord aperture to maintain airway patency. This compensatory mechanism results in the characteristic hoarse voice.
**Why the True Vocal Cord (TVC) Paralysis:**
1.