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Vocal Cord Paralysis

The nerves controlling the vocal cords are the:

  • Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve – Controls muscles for breathing, speaking, coughing, and swallowing

  • Superior Laryngeal Nerve – Controls pitch (cricothyroid)

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“Drawing of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve” © Jkwchui CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

Causes of a vocal cord paralysis includes:

  • Idiopathic

  • Trauma during surgery

  • Tumour

  • Stroke

  • Infection i.e. Laryngitis


It presents with:

  • Voice changes – Hoarseness, Weak, Gurgling quality

  • Airway problems – SOB after speaking, Noisy breathing

  • Swallowing problems – Choking or coughing when eating




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