Laryngeal Photos: Normal photos: Female

The vocal cords can be seen here in a range of normal positions depending on the telescope used to examine them and what pitch, volume and moment of breathing is captured in the photo.

Rigid scope exam - halogen constant light

ABduction: The vocal cords are apart for breathing in. The rings of the trachea (wind pipe) can be seen. They are at their widest apart during a sniff.

With a constant light, the vocal cords blur once they are vibrating, but at the instant before they vibrate, the vocal cords can be seen in this shortened position, slightly bowed. The arytenoids have come together.

At a high pitch, at the onset of phonation, the vocal cords are stretched.

Flexible scope exam - halogen constant light - overview

ADduction: The vocal cords are together for making sound. This photo from high above the larynx gives a feel for the postioning of the arytenoid joints and the size of the pharyngeal tube.

ABduction: The vocal cords are apart for making breathing.

Flexible scope exam - halogen constant light - closer views

ABduction: a mid-range view.

ABduction: closer.

ABduction: ultra-close allows details of the surface of the vocal cords and to see into the laryngeal ventricles (the space between the true and false vocal cords.

Flexible scope exam - halogen constant light - very close views

ADduction: strobe exam, mid phase of vibration.

ADduction: strobe exam, mid phase of vibration - even closer.

ADduction: plain light exam, onset of phonation.