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Laryngeal Hemiplegia

Last Updated: September 20, 2011

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Laryngeal hemiplegia, also called roaring, can be defined as paralysis of one side of the larynx. The recurrent laryngeal nerve undergoes degeneration and damage to the laryngeal nerve occurs, resulting in lack of muscular control of the vocal cords.

The affected vocal cords vibrate with inspiration, causing a roaring sound. Upon expiration of air, the vocal cord and sac associated with it are passively pushed aside by the exiting air. Symptoms are most noticeable during and after exercise.

This condition reduces performance but can usually be corrected by surgery.

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