The effect of viscosity changes in the vocal folds on the range of oscillation

Changes in vocal fold oscillation threshold pressure were induced in excised canine larynges by experimentally causing fluid movement into and out of the vocal folds. The transport was facilitated by exposing the vocal folds to various osmotic solutions, and it was assumed that changes in hydration caused changes in the internal tissue viscosity. A range of oscillation threshold pressures was measured for each condition of hydration by varying length and glottal width. The oscillation threshold pressure shifted as predicted. Decreased hydration (increased viscosity) raised the threshold of oscillation, and increased hydration (decreased viscosity) lowered the threshold of oscillation. This apparently represents the first in vitro model for the study of the effect of viscosity changes of the internal environment of the vocal folds on phonation.     

Phonation Threshold Power in Ex Vivo Laryngeal Models

This study hypothesized that phonation threshold power is measureable and sensitive to changes in the biomechanical properties of the vocal folds. Phonation threshold power was measured in three sample populations of 10 excised canine larynges treated with variable posterior glottal gap, variable bilateral vocal fold elongation, and variable vocal fold lesioning. Posterior glottal gap varied from 0 to 4 mm in 0.5 mm intervals. Bilateral vocal fold elongation varied from 0% to 20% in 5% intervals. Vocal fold lesion treatments included unilateral and bilateral vocal fold lesion groups. Each treatment was investigated independently in a sample population of 10 excised canine larynges. Linear regression analysis indicated that phonation threshold power was sensitive to posterior glottal gap (R² = 0.298, P < 0.001) and weakly to vocal fold elongation (R² = 0.052, P = 0.003). A one-way repeated measures analysis of variance indicated that phonation threshold power was sensitive to the presence of lesions (P < 0.001). Theoretical and experimental evidence presented here suggests that phonation threshold power could be used as a broad screening parameter sensitive to certain changes in the biomechanical properties of the larynx. It has not yet been measured in humans, but because it has the potential to represent the airflow-tissue energy transfer more completely than the phonation threshold pressure or flow alone, it may be a more useful parameter than these and could be used to indicate that laryngeal health is likely abnormal.     

What happens during vocal warm-up?

Most singers prefer to warm up their voices before performing. Although the subjective effect is often considerable, the underlying physiological effects are largely unknown. Because warm-up tends to increase blood flow in muscles, it seems likely that vocal warm-up might induce decreased viscosity in the vocal folds. According to the theory of vocal-fold vibration, such a decrease should lead to a lower phonation threshold pressure. In this investigation the effect of vocal warm-up on the phonation threshold pressure was examined in a group of male and female singers. The effect varied considerably between subjects, presumably because the vocal-fold viscosity was not a dominating factor for the phonation-threshold pressure.     

Investigation of Anti-Hyaluronidase Treatment on Vocal Fold Wound Healing

SUMMARY: Phytochemical constituents of medicinal plants demonstrate inhibition of tissue and bacterial hyaluronidase. Echinacoside is a caffeoyl conjugate of Echinacea with known anti-hyaluronidase properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the wound healing effects of Echinacea on vocal fold wound healing and functional voice outcomes. Pig animal model. Methods: Vocal fold injury was induced in 18 pigs by unilateral vocal fold stripping. The uninjured vocal fold served as control. Three groups of six pigs randomly received a topical application of 300, 600, or 1,200 mg of standardized Echinacea on the injured side. Animals were euthanized after 3, 10, and 15 days of wound healing. Phonation threshold pressure and vocal economy measurements were obtained from excised larynges. Treatment outcomes were examined by comparing the animals receiving treatment with a set of 19 untreated and 5 historical controls. Treatment effects on wound healing were evaluated by histologic staining for hyaluronan and collagen. Treated larynges revealed improved vocal economy and phonation threshold pressure compared with untreated larynges. Histologically, treated vocal folds revealed stable hyaluronan content and no significant accumulation of collagen compared with control. Findings provide a favorable outcome of anti-hyaluronidase treatment on acute vocal fold wound healing and functional measures of voice.     

Optimal glottal configuration for ease of phonation

Recent experimental studies have shown the existence of optimalvalues of the glottal width and convergence angle, at which the phonation threshold pressure is minimum. These results indicate the existence of an optimal glottal configuration for ease of phonation, not predicted by the previous theory. In this paper, the origin of the optimal configuration is investigated using a low dimensional mathematical model of the vocal fold. Two phenomena of glottal aerodynamics are examined: pressure losses due to air viscosity, and air flow separation from a divergent glottis. The optimal glottal configuration seems to be a consequence of the combined effect of both factors. The results agree with the experimental data, showing that the phonation threshold pressure is minimum when the vocal folds are slightly separated in a near rectangular glottis.     

The effect of subglottal resonance upon vocal fold vibration

An experiment with excised larynges was undertaken to investigate theinteraction between acoustic pressures in a pseudotrachea and the amplitude of vibration of the vocal folds. Pressure was measured beneath the vocal folds at three specific moments of the vibratory cycle: (a) when the superior margin of the vocal folds began to separate, (b) when the vocal folds were maximally apart, and (c) when the inferior margin of the vocal folds began to touch. Results indicate that in half the larynges investigated, the maximum amplitude of vibration increased as a function of: (a) increased positive pressure at the moment of opening, and (b) reduced subglottal pressure when the vocal folds were maximally apart. The implications of these experiments regarding involuntary register transitions related to trachea resonance are discussed in light of a previously proposed register theory.     

The membranous contact quotient: A new phonatory measure of glottal competence

The membranous contact quotient (MCQ) is introduced as a measure of dynamic glottal competence. It is defined as the ratio of the membranous contact glottis (the anterior-posterior length of contact between the two membranous vocal folds) and the membranous vocal fold length. An elliptical approximation to the vocal fold contour during phonation was used to predict MCQ values as a function of vocal process gap (adduction), maximum glottal width, and membranous glottal length. MCQ is highly dependent on the vocal process gap and the maximum glottal width, but not on vocal fold length. Five excised larynges were used to obtain MCQ data for a wide range of vocal process gaps and maximum glottal widths. Predicted and measured MCQ values had a correlation of 0.93, with an average absolute difference of 9.6% (SD = 10.5%). The model is better at higher values of MCQ. The theory for MCQ is also expressed as a function of vocal process gap and subglottal pressure to suggest production control potential. The MCQ measure is obtainable with the use of stroboscopy and appears to be a potentially useful clinical measure.     

Glottal flow through a two-mass model: comparison of Navier-Stokes solutions with simplified models

A new numerical model of the vocal folds is presented based on the well-known two-mass models of the vocal folds. The two-mass model is coupled to a model of glottal airflow based on the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. Glottal waves are produced using different initial glottal gaps and different subglottal pressures. Fundamental frequency, glottal peak flow, and closed phase of the glottal waves have been compared with values known from the literature. The phonation threshold pressure was determined for different initial glottal gaps. The phonation threshold pressure obtained using the flow model with Navier-Stokes equations corresponds better to values determined in normal phonation than the phonation threshold pressure obtained using the flow model based on the Bernoulli equation. Using the Navier-Stokes equations, an increase of the subglottal pressure causes the fundamental frequency and the glottal peak flow to increase, whereas the fundamental frequency in the Bernoulli-based model does not change with increasing pressure.     

Experimental study of the effects of surface mucus viscosity on the glottic cycle

Numerous clinical findings indicate that viscosity of laryngeal mucosa is a crucial factor in glottal perfomance. Experience using experimental test benches has shown the importance of humidifying air stream used to induce vibration in excised larynges. Nevertheless, there is a lack of knowledge particularly regarding the physicochemical properties of laryngeal mucus. The purpose of this study was to research vocal fold vibration in excised larynges using artificial mucus of precisely known viscosity. Eight freshly harvested porcine larynges were examined. Parameters measured were Fo and vocal fold contact time. Measurements were performed under three conditions: basal (no fluid application on vocal cord surface), after application of a fluid of 60cP viscosity (Visc60), and after application of a fluid of 100cP viscosity (Visc100). Electroglottographic measurements were performed at two different times for each condition: 1 s after airflow onset (T1) and 6 seconds after airflow onset (T2). Statistical analysis consisted of comparing data obtained under each condition at T1 and T2. The results showed a significant decrease in Fo after application of Visc60 and Visc100 fluids and a decrease in Fo at T2. Closure time was significantly higher under Visc60 conditions and under Visc100 conditions than under basal conditions. Application of artificial mucus to the mucosa of the vocal folds lowered vibratory frequency and prolonged the contact phase. Our interpretation of this data is that the presence of mucus on the surface of the vocal folds generated superficial tension and caused adhesion, which is a source of nonlinearity in vocal vibration.