I was asked about something most of us take for granted – a normal voice and ability to swallow.
We use our normal voices to communicate and not even thinking that we’re swallowing at least once or twice per minute. The mechanism to produce voice involves our vocal cords, the muscles that control the vocal cords, and the rigid frame that holds it in place called the thyroid lamina. Together these form the larynx.
Swallowing starts with the tongue and mouth, followed by sequential closing of the larynx and opening of the esophagus just behind and on either side of the larynx. Once the food or liquid is in the upper esophagus, gravity and peristaltic muscle contraction of the esophagus carries it into the stomach.
Voice production and swallowing are controlled by the brain through a complicated network of nerves. Any disorder of voice or swallowing takes a bit to figure out. Examination by an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist or Otolaryngologist would include endoscopic examinations of the area, sometimes with video enhancement and freeze frame computer technology. In patients with swallowing disorder, the endoscopic examination also includes watching the larynx while the patient swallows water, apple sauce, and foods that may be particularly difficult to swallow.
If you are having problems with your voice, breathing, and/or swallowing, call and make an appointment with us today.
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