Ebook: The larynx

Ciba Pharmaceutical, 1964. - 32 p.Introduction
The larynx has many functions. As guardian of the respiratory tract, it keeps us from choking to death with the first swallow of food. Without closure of the glottis, cough would be impossible and removal of mucus and foreign matter from the bronchi and lungs would be less efficient. Also, it would be more difficult to increase intra-abdominal pressure to assist the visceral musculature in expelling contents of rectum and uterus.
In addition to these vital functions, a most important activity of the larynx is phonation, a faculty that enables us to put even the most abstract ideas into vocal symbols, thus setting us apart from other members of the animal kingdom.
The larynx is the seat of a number of pathologic conditions, many of which produce the same symptom — hoarseness. Therefore, a differential diagnosis can be made only by visual examination. Fortunately, an adequate examination can usually be made quite easily and consumes little of the physician's time.
It will be our purpose to review the physiology of the larynx, outline the proper method of examination, and discuss briefly the diagnosis and treatment of some of the pathologic conditions.