Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The vocal fold (aka vocal cord) is actually comprised of 5 layers: mucosa, superficial lamina propia in grey, the vocal ligament in purple which is comprised of the intermediate and deep lamina propia, and finally muscle.
The vocal fold mucosal epithelium, due to its pliability, oscillates independently of the deeper layers due to the superficial lamina propia, which is a loose gel-like structure. This layer acts like a cushion for the mucosa, thereby reducing mechanical stress on the deeper structures and allowing it to freely move.
Normally with phonation, there is a symmetric and cyclical mucosal wave of the vocal fold that has both a vertical and horizontal component. However, this mucosal wave can be disrupted with different vocal cord pathology including nodules, cyst, polyp, etc.
Simple cartoon animations are shown in this video demonstrating how the vocal fold mucosal wave appears both when normal as well as with certain abnormalities.
Intro (0:00)
Normal (1:31)
Nodules (2:05)
Cyst (2:44)
Polyp (3:04)
Muscle Tension Dysphonia (3:27)
Bowed/Paralysis (3:49)
For more information on normal phonation: youtu.be/q03YuWWOgy8
More info on the human voice both in health and in disease: FauquierENT.net/voice.htm
For more voice related videos:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLblLJazSSA3SmEiGoV_lrcvZrh0vEi_5A
Vocal cord surgery:
youtu.be/OMyKwZa6sis
Video created by Dr. Christopher Chang:
FauquierENT.net
Still haven’t subscribed to Fauquier ENT on YouTube? ►► bit.ly/35SazwA
The vocal fold (aka vocal cord) is actually comprised of 5 layers: mucosa, superficial lamina propia in grey, the vocal ligament in purple which is comprised of the intermediate and deep lamina propia, and finally muscle.
The vocal fold mucosal epithelium, due to its pliability, oscillates independently of the deeper layers due to the superficial lamina propia, which is a loose gel-like structure. This layer acts like a cushion for the mucosa, thereby reducing mechanical stress on the deeper structures and allowing it to freely move.
Normally with phonation, there is a symmetric and cyclical mucosal wave of the vocal fold that has both a vertical and horizontal component. However, this mucosal wave can be disrupted with different vocal cord pathology including nodules, cyst, polyp, etc.
Simple cartoon animations are shown in this video demonstrating how the vocal fold mucosal wave appears both when normal as well as with certain abnormalities.
Intro (0:00)
Normal (1:31)
Nodules (2:05)
Cyst (2:44)
Polyp (3:04)
Muscle Tension Dysphonia (3:27)
Bowed/Paralysis (3:49)
For more information on normal phonation: youtu.be/q03YuWWOgy8
More info on the human voice both in health and in disease: FauquierENT.net/voice.htm
For more voice related videos:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLblLJazSSA3SmEiGoV_lrcvZrh0vEi_5A
Vocal cord surgery:
youtu.be/OMyKwZa6sis
Video created by Dr. Christopher Chang:
FauquierENT.net
Still haven’t subscribed to Fauquier ENT on YouTube? ►► bit.ly/35SazwA
