inferior vocal cord
Noun: 1. Either of the two lower vocal folds within the larynx: These are the primary structures responsible for producing sound during phonation. They are located below the superior (or "false") vocal cords and are the true sound-producing organs. When air from the lungs passes between these approximated folds, they vibrate to produce vocal tone.
The term is used in anatomical, medical, and vocal pedagogy contexts to specifically identify the primary sound-producing structures of the voice box. - The surgeon carefully examined the patient's inferior vocal cord for signs of nodules. - Proper singing technique relies on the efficient vibration of the inferior vocal cords.
- Clinical Context: Often discussed in relation to pathologies (e.g., polyps, paralysis), surgical procedures, or diagnostic imaging (laryngoscopy).
- The hoarseness was caused by a hemorrhage on the left inferior vocal cord.
- True vocal cord: A direct synonym, emphasizing its role as the primary vibrating structure versus the non-vibrating false vocal cords.
- Vocal fold: The modern and more precise anatomical term, describing the layered structure of the cord.
- Glottis: The space between the left and right inferior vocal cords.
- Superior vocal cord (vestibular fold): The pair of folds located above the inferior vocal cords, which do not typically vibrate for normal phonation.
- True vocal cord
- Vocal fold
- True vocal fold
While "inferior vocal cord" is anatomically precise, in most contemporary medical and voice science literature, the term "vocal fold" is preferred. The descriptor "inferior" is used to distinguish it from the "superior vocal cord" (vestibular fold) located above it. In common parlance, when people refer to "vocal cords," they are almost always referring to the inferior vocal cords.
- either of the two lower vocal folds that come together to form the glottis; produce a vocal tone when they are approximated and air from the lungs passes between them