Measurement of adult vocal fold length

Abstract

Laryngeal photographs from 165 Taiwanese subjects were taken during microlaryngoscopy. Photographs of the vocal fold during the open phase were chosen. For measuring the vocal fold length, both the photograph of a ruler and the larynx were taken under the operating microscope, thus forming a 'new scale'. Photographs of the vocal fold and the ruler were then processed at the same power of magnification. The length of the vocal folds was measured with the 'new scale'. In 100 patients receiving direct laryngoscopy under neuroleptic anaesthesia, the vocal fold length was 14.6 +/- 1.2 mm (n = 35) for males and 11.1 +/- 1.0 mm (n = 65) for females. In 65 patients under general anaesthesia, the vocal fold length was 15.3 +/- 1.6 mm (n = 23) for males and 13.5 +/- 1.3 mm (n = 42) for females. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between both groups and both sexes. Elongation of the vocal fold under general rather than neuroleptic anaesthesia may be important when performing functional surgery of the vocal fold.

The morphometric development of the fetal larynx during the fetal period

“…The morphometric dimensions of larynx were described in adults by several researchers [3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. In fetuses, the inadequate literatures regarding this subject were presented [8,[10][11][12].…”

“…Measurements were obtained from each larynx as follows (Figs. [1][2][3][4][5] to allow the relatively slight changes following preservation in formalin.…”

Relationship of the Cricothyroid Space with Vocal Range in Female Singers

“…This same group of researchers previously established a direct relationship between the dimensions of the vocal folds (length, width, and mass) and voice classification (Roers, et al, 2009). It is known that males have longer vocal folds than females (Nishizawa et al, 1988;Hertegård et al, 1993;Su et al, 2002;Schuster et al, 2005;Larsson & Hertegård, 2008;Mürbe, et al, 2011). However, there are also differences in vocal fold length between voice types e.g.…”

“…Despite differences in measurement techniques and reference points, all authors found that vocal fold dimensions differ not only between genders, with longer folds in adult males, but also between voice categories, with longer vocal folds in basses compared to tenors, and altos compared to sopranos (Pfau, 1973;Nishizawa, et al, 1988;Hertegård, et al, 1993;Eckel, et al, 1994;Benninghoff & Drenckhahn, 2002;Su, et al, 2002;Roers, 2005;Schuster, et al, 2005;Roers, et al, 2007;Larsson & Hertegård, 2008;Shewell, 2009). In general, vocal fold length in males is between 15 and 20 mm and in females between 9 and 13 mm.…”

Real-Time Ultrasonographic Assessment of True Vocal Fold Length in Professional Singers

“…10 The results obtained from cadavers did not reflect the physiological vocal fold length in a living person. 11 Measurement is extremely difficult after dissection because of the elasticity of the vocal fold. 12 As for the radiography, the vague landmarks in the film make it difficult to measure the vocal fold length precisely.…”