VOCUAL NODULES
Location:
- * At the juncture of the middle and anterior third and the
posterior two-thirds
of the vocal folds.
This is the mid-portion of the membranous vocal folds.
The nodules are located in the very Superficial layer of the fold.
They interfere
with the mucousal wave.
Etiology:
- * Functional and abusive
Distinctive Features
- * Bilateral, ant. to middle third, more often in children and adult females, patient
complains
that they need to clear throat continually, and that there is excessive
mucus on the vocal
folds.
Vocal Quality
- * Breathy, hoarse, low pitch, decreaed, loudness
- * It is important to note that the amount of vocal disorder asociated with nodules
depends
upon many factors including the size and hardness of the nodules, the
vocal range
of the individual, and the individual's ability to control the larynx.
Progression:
- * The actual injury that occurs at that portion of the vocal fold is felt to represent a
continuum of
changes. Initially the vocal fold just becomes swollen. With continued
misuse the fluid
accumulation thickness and slowly becomes more fibrotic. Eventually,
the nodules become
much firmer and primarily fibrotic in consistency.
Leigh Hargrove, 1997