Laryngitis: Highlights

Print Chapter

Download printable PDF (380KB)

Key Glossary Terms

Laryngitis
Inflammation of the voice box (larynx); can result from many causes; specific cause needs to be identified for correct diagnosis and proper treatment plan

Inflammation
Response to injury that results in swelling, redness, and/or pain

Glossary

Related Experiences

44-year-old female describes:

• Her feelings after laryngoscopy for chronic laryngitis (456KB)

Personal Experiences

Body part + "-itis" means inflammation of that part

Laryngitis = larynx + itis = inflammation of the larynx

• Inflammation is the body's way of healing itself in response to injury from any of a number of causes.
• Inflammation is usually characterized by swelling of the injured site (edema), redness (erythema), and pain in the area.
• Usually, once the cause of the injury is removed, the inflammation subsides when healing of the injured area is complete. However, repeated injury that causes chronic inflammation can result in other types of injury and injury response, preventing complete healing.

Laryngitis, or inflammation of the larynx, can have many causes. As such, a correct diagnosis of laryngitis should always indicate the cause. For example:

• Viral laryngitis: Inflammation from a viral infection
• Reflux laryngitis: Inflammation from backflow of stomach fluids (reflux) to the throat and voice box

• Laryngitis that is short lived is classified as acute laryngitis.
• Laryngitis that lasts longer than two to four weeks is classified as chronic laryngitis.

The location of inflammation in the larynx usually depends on the area injured by exposure to an irritant or injuring agent.

• For example: If the larynx is exposed to smoke, allergens, or environmental pollutants, then the laryngitis will involve the entire larynx. If laryngitis is due to backflow of stomach fluids (laryngopharyngeal reflux), then inflammation may be present only in the back side of the larynx.