Voiceproblem.org: Glossary of Terms: K-O

Terms K-O

K L M N O

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L	Lamina Propria Non-muscle part of the vocal fold, directly underneath the surface lining Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Laparoscopically Surgery or visualization performed without cutting open the body; instead, special "tools" and cameras are inserted through small holes into the body. Surgical recovery is typically faster than with open surgery Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Laryngeal Electromyography (LEMG) Test that measures electrical signals of nerve inputs to muscles Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Laryngeal Examination Examination of the voice box Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Laryngeal Framework Surgery Surgical modification of the cartilage framework of the voice box so vocal folds can close better or have more tension, which allows vocal folds to vibrate better for sound production Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Laryngeal Injection Augmentation Injection of a variety of synthetic or natural materials into the vocal fold to optimize vocal fold closure in order to enhance vocal fold vibration, thus improving voice. Also called vocal fold injection or vocal fold augmentation Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Laryngeal Reinnervation Re-establishing nerve inputs to the voice box muscles Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Laryngeal Stroboscopy A specialized magnified viewing of the voice box using a synchronized flashing light that allows visualization of vocal fold vibration through a tube-scope with a camera at the end Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Laryngeal/Voice Box Composed of vocal folds, muscles, and framework cartilages; key for voice, breathing, airway protection Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Laryngectomy Surgery to remove the larynx Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM 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 Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Laryngologist An ear, nose, and throat doctor who specializes in voice care Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) Backflow of stomach fluids to the laryngopharynx (voice box + lower back of throat) Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Laryngopharynx Refers to the area of the voice box (larynx) and lower back part of the throat (hypopharynx) Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Laryngoscope A specialized scope to view the voice box Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Laryngoscopy An examination of the larynx using a telescopic camera (see also rigid and flexible laryngoscopy) Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Laryngospasm Sudden inability to breathe due to closing off of the airway Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Larynx Voice box; composed of vocal folds, muscles, and framework cartilage; highly specialized structure atop the windpipe responsible for sound production, air passage during breathing and protecting the airway during swallowing Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Larynx Preservation Term used when a treatment choice for cancer is designed to maximally retain the laryngeal structures without compromising the chances of cure Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Lateralization Thyroplasty Manipulation of the larynx so the vocal folds lie farther apart Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Low Pitch Voice sounds lower than usual Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Low Esophageal Pressure Decreased pressure within the esophagus or at its sphincters that results in the backflow of stomach fluids into the esophagus and/or larynx Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Lower Esophageal Sphincter The "gate" at where the esophagus connects to the stomach Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Low Lower Esophageal Sphincter Decreased tone in the lower "gate" of the esophagus, often allowing backflow of stomach fluids into the esophagus Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Lymph Nodes The connecting and repository sites of the lymphatic system, the system of tissue drainage within the body; it is often the method of cancer spread Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM return to top
M	Malignant Cancerous; having abnormal cells that cause cancer Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Medialization Laryngoplasty Surgery that brings the vocal fold together to improve vocal fold vibration during sound production Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Metastasize The spreading of cancer beyond its original location Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Microlaryngoscopy Examination of the larynx with a scope with special magnification capability Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Microsurgical Techniques Surgical techniques that are performed with a microscope for viewing Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Mirror Examination Method of examining the larynx using simple mirrors (not a scope) Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Motor Nerves Nerves (signal carriers) that carry messages from the brain to muscles in the body enabling movement Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Motor Signals Nerve signals that trigger muscle movement Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM MRI Magnetic resonance imaging Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Mucosal A lining, such as that which covers the larynx Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Mucosal Wave A wave-like motion that occurs along the lining cover of the vocal folds during voice production Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Multifactorial Etiology A voice disorder is complicated by multiple causes Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Multifactorial Voice Disorders Voice disorders resulting from more than one cause Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Muscle Tension Dysphonia Abnormal-sounding voice due to loss of normal muscle coordination or innappropriate muscle contraction Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM return to top
N	Nasopharynx The space joining the throat and nasal cavity Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Nerve Transposition Taking nerve and muscle from another part of the body and grafting the new nerve into the paralyzed vocal fold Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Neurolaryngologist A laryngologist who specializes in the neurologic causes of voice disorders, including non-larynx diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, etc.) Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Neurological Voice Disorders Voice problems caused by abnormal control, coordination, or strength of voice box muscles due to an underlying neurological disease such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, Lou Gehrig's disease, or ALS Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Neurologist A physician who specializes in conditions of the brain Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Neutralize In the case of acids, it means to balance and reduce Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Nissen Fundoplication This surgery tightens the lower food pipe sphincter so that it can perform better as a barrier to stomach fluid backflow Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM return to top
O	Odonophagia Pain on swallowing Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Odynophonia Pain on speaking Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Otalgia Pain originating elsewhere that is felt in the ear Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Otolaryngologist An ear, nose, and throat physician specialist Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Otology The study of disorders of the ear and related structures Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM return to top

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