True vocal cords
The true vocal cords are the thickened, free edge of the cricovocal membrane, the cricovocal ligament, lined by mucous membrane . Together they form part of the glottis, the V-shaped aperture through which air passes. Their primary role is in phonation where vibration of the adducted vocal cords gives rise to sound waves with a certain pitch.
The cricovocal membrane, also known as conus elasticus, extends upwards from a semicircular base following the contours of the cricoid cartilage to form a horizontal upper border attached in the midline to thyroid cartilage and posteriorly to the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilage . This free edge between the thyroid laminae and the arytenoid cartilage is thickened as the cricovocal ligament .
Stratified squamous epithelium lines the vocal folds. The lamina propria is very firmly attached over the vocal cords.
Related pathology
- Reinke edema
- vocal cord nodules
- vocal cord polyps
- vocal cord leukoplakia
- vocal cord dyskinesia
- vocal cord paralysis