Vocal fold
Plica vocalis
RespiratoryOrgansNeckLeft and right
View left in 3D View right in 3D
- What it is
- The true vocal cord: a fold of mucosa over the vocal ligament and vocalis muscle, running from the inside of the thyroid angle to the arytenoid vocal process; the two folds bound the V-shaped rima glottidis.
- Function
- Vibrates in the exhaled airstream to produce voice, and closes tightly to protect the airway and build pressure for a cough.
- Size
- About 17–23 mm long in men and 12–17 mm in women; vibrates at ~100–150 Hz (men) and ~180–250 Hz (women) in speech.
- Clinical note
- Swelling of its loose superficial layer (Reinke's oedema) in smokers deepens the voice; hoarseness lasting more than 3 weeks warrants laryngoscopy.