Voiceproblem.org: Glossary of Terms: P-T

Terms P-T

P Q R S T

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P	Pachyderma Thickening of the tissues in between the vocal folds at the back of the larynx Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Papilloma Wart-like growth caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Paralysis Complete loss of nerve input to a muscle, resulting in complete loss of muscle function Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Paresis Partial paralysis; partial loss of nerve input to a muscle, resulting in muscle weakness Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Partial Laryngectomy Surgery to remove part of the larynx while attempting to keep voice production Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Pathologist Physician that examines tissues and cells (e.g., from biopsies), often using a microscope, to determine complete diagnosis Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Pathology Analysis Examination of tissues and cells to determine full diagnosis, often done using a microscope Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Pedunculated Wart-like tumor with a slim stalk Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Pepsin Stomach enzyme Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Peristalsis Esophageal muscle contractions that move food through Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM pH Levels Acid levels Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Pharyngo-esophageal Tract Throat (pharynx) + food pipe (esophagus) Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Phonation Making sound to speak Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Phonomicrosurgery Highly specialized surgery to improve voice (phonosurgery) using microsurgical techniques and highly magnified views (microsurgery) to provide microscopic detail Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Phonosurgery Surgery to improve or maintain voice Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Phonotrauma Trauma to the larynx caused by (sometimes abusive) vocal usage Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Photosensitizing Dye A dye used in photodynamic therapy that, when activated by a specific frequency light, results in chemical alteration converting it to a form that can kill targeted cells Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Physiatrist A physician specializing in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions using elements such as light, heat, water, electricity, etc. Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Physiology The science and study of the function of living beings Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Pitch The frequency within sound production (high or low) Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Polypoid Corditis Another term for Reinke's edema Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Positron Emission Tomography Test that can help assess function by measuring electric charges; more technically, tomography in which a cross-sectional image of some part of the body is obtained by measuring distribution of gamma radiation when positrons and electrons collide Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Post-Cricoid Space The space behind the cricoid cartlage Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Post-Nasal Drip Feeling of a drip in the back of the throat Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Posterior Laryngitis Inflammation of the back of the voice box Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Pre-Epiglottic Space The space in front of the epiglottis Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Primary Tumor The first tumor in development; the original site of a spreading cancer Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Prosody The variation in stress, pitch, and rhythm of speech Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Proton Pump Inhibitors Stomach acid reducers Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Psychogenic Dysphonia An impairment of voice caused by mental factors Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM return to top
Q	There are currently no entries for this letter. return to top
R	Radiofrequency Ablation A type of radio wave surgery Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Radiographic Imaging Tests that allow films (pictures) of the inside of the body (e.g., X-ray, CT scan, MRI, etc.) Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve (RLN) Branch of vagus nerve to voice box muscles that open and close vocal folds Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP) Wart-like growths in the airway passages caused by the human papilloma virus; these growths usually form on the vocal folds, causing a voice disorder Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Reflux Backflow of stomach fluids which contain acid and enzymes Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Refluxers/Upright Refluxers/Daytime Refluxers Patients with reflux laryngitis in whom the backflow of stomach fluids occurs in the upright (sitting/standing) position; often not associated with heartburn Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Reflux Laryngitis Voice disorder caused by backflow of stomach fluids to the throat and voice box area; a type of supraesophageal GERD Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Reflux Precautions Lifestyle changes that a patient follows to minimize backflow of stomach fluids (reflux) such as (but not limited to) sleeping with the head elevated, refraining from lying down after a meal, refraining from foods that increase acidity in stomach fluids, or refraining from foods associated with relaxation of the esophageal sphincter Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Reinke's Edema "Swelling in Reinke's space"; voice disorder from accumulation of gelatinous substance in Reinke's space Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Reinke's Space (Superficial Lamina Propria) Vocal fold layer right underneath its surface lining; really not an empty space—a layer in the vocal fold comprised of cells, special fibers and substances (extracellular matrix); has key role in vocal fold vibration Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Resistance In this context, loss of drug effect Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Resonance The personal quality of one's voice which results from the action of the vocal tract (throat [pharynx], oral cavity, nasal cavities) on the basic sound produced by the vocal folds. This is what differentiates people's voices Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Respiration The act of breathing Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Respiratory Papillomatosis A viral infection of the vocal folds that can be a precursor to atypia or cancer (see also Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis) Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Rigid Laryngoscopy An examination of the voice box in which a rigid telescope is used; this examination provides the clearest magnified detail of the voice box, but the patient is unable to speak or sing during the exam Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM
S	Scarring A thickening, or fibrosis, that occurs as part of healing of injured tissues Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Selective Laryngeal Abbuctor Denervation-Reinnervation Operation in which nerves to two non-working muscles that close (adduct) the vocal folds are cut (denervated) and replaced (renervated) with nerves from muscles that are normal Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Sensory Nerves Nerves that carry signals of sensation to the larynx and other parts of the body (see also motor nerves) Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Sessile The wart-like tumor with no stalk Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Smoker's Laryngitis Another term for Reinke's edema; often associated with a history of smoking Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Spasmodic Dysphonia Voice disorders caused by muscle spasm Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Speech Disorder Malfunction of the tongue and/or lip muscles resulting in garbled words or parts or words Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Stridor Noisy breathing, usually caused by obstruction or narrowing of the airway; stridor is a sign of difficulty passing air – any breathing difficulty needs immediate medical attention Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM "Stripping" A "radical" surgical procedure that removes ("strips") the top layers of the vocal folds resulting in severe vocal fold scarring and abnormal voice; due to the resultant damage, this procedure is currently rarely used Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Stroboscopy An examination in which a strobe light is combined with rigid or flexible laryngoscopy to produce a slow motion-like view of vocal fold vibration and vocal fold closure Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Stroke A condition in the brain caused by too little or too much blood supply, resulting in poor function of the parts of the body controlled by the affected areas of the brain Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cancer composed of a certain type of cell called squamous cells, usually found in lining cells Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Subglottic Larynx Below the glottis Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Subglottic Stenosis A narrowing below the vocal folds Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Subglottic Tumor A tumor in the larynx below the glottis Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Subglottis Below the glottis (area of the vocal folds) Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Superficial Lamina Propria Top layer of the laminae propria that plays a key role in vocal fold vibration; loosely structured; located just underneath the cell lining (epithelium) covering the vocal fold Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Superior Laryngeal Nerve (SLN) Branch of vagus nerve to cricothyroid muscle involved in control of pitch Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Supraglottic Larynx Above the glottis Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Supraglottic Tumor A tumor in the larynx above the glottis Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Supraglottis Above the glottis (area of the vocal folds) Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Surgical Excision/Surgical Resection Removal through a surgical procedure Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Symptoms Common complaints of a condition Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM return to top
T	Thyroarytenoid (TA) Muscle Muscle within the vocal fold Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Thyroid Cartilage A shield-like cartilage that forms the front of the voice box; also the cartilage that forms the "Adam's Apple" Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Thyroid Gland A major hormone regulator of the body, located in the neck area Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Timbre Hoarseness, harsh voice, abnormal voice quality due to abnormal vocal fold vibration Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM TNM Staging T, tumor type; N, lymph nodes involved; M, metastasis or spread to other body parts Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Topical Anesthesia Substance applied to the surface to decrease sensation, such as sensation to pain Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Trachea The windpipe; connects lungs to larynx Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Tracheostomy A breathing tube placed directly into the windpipe, below the area of the voice box Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Tracheotomy Incision of the trachea, done to place a tracheostomy Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Transcutaneous Approach Entering through the skin; can refer to drug administered by absorption through the skin or a procedure directly approached through the skin Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM Transoral Laryngoscopy Viewing of the larynx through the mouth using a specialized instrument called a laryngoscope Search for related articles at PubMed at the NLM return to top

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