Laryngeal video recordings: Normal female

These recordings are set to a fairly low resolution for the internet but do show the general function of the vocal cords. Much more detail is actually visible on a video in the office. The videos are oriented with the front of the voice box down. The left vocal fold is on the right of the video. Orientation is discussed here. Two different females are pictured below. Both are classically trained singers and had no known vocal problems at the time of the recording.

• Scope: Flexible
• View: Distant
• Light: Constant
• Pitch: Rise and fall
• Content: This arpeggio demonstrates how the pharynx narrows as pitch increases to create a narrower tube for resonance at the higher pitch. There is a touch of vibrato at the end.

• Scope: Rigid
• View: Wide
• Light: Constant
• Pitch: Slide
• Content: This slide downward in pitch demonstrates how the vocal folds shorten in length to decrease pitch. The light is constant so the edges of the vocal folds blur during phonation. The video frame rate on this digital recording was 30 frames per second and the vocal folds are vibrating at over 200 vibrations per second. A rigid scope was used for the recording. (Strobe in larger version)

• Scope: Rigid
• View: Wide
• Light: Constant
• Pitch: Slide
• Content: Slide upward in pitch.

• Scope: Flexible
• View: Close up
• Light: Strobe
• Pitch: F4#
• Content: The larynx has been anesthetized and the scope is put into a position nearly touching the vocal cords. At the beginning, you are essentially at the back of the vocal cords looking forward towards the front of the neck.

• Scope: Rigid
• View: Standard
• Light: Strobe - slow
• Pitch: G3# & higher
• Content: Two different tones, the first in the typical female speaking pitch range. The vocal folds are short in length. The amplitude of vibration is wide. Vocal cords are already adducted.

• Scope: Rigid
• View: Standard
• Light: Strobe - slow
• Pitch: C5# - mid range for soprano
• Content: Continuous tone at a mid range pitch, the vocal cords are stretched, normal mucosal wave, thin clear secretions seen dancing on the surface. The vocal cords start in the abducted or breathing position.

• Scope: Flexible
• View: high in pharynx
• Light: Strobe
• Pitch: A5# (very high pitch)
• Content: A rather high note with vibrato. The phayrnx is squeezed to create a narrow tube. The vocal cords are stretched.