preview

Larynx Essay

Decent Essays

Speech production is essentially the structures along the vocal tract that work together to modify the airstream and this can be greatly affected when someone has cancer of the Larynx. Laryngeal cancer, also known as Laryngeal Carcinoma, develops as a result of malignant cells that form in the tissues of the larynx and can be potentially life threatening. The larynx is a frequent site for cancer and accounts for 3-5% of human cancers. The larynx is critical for speech so anything that affects the larynx will disrupt the natural flow of vocal communication, especially something as extreme as Laryngeal Cancer. A person who undergoes procedures and surgeries to rid these cancerous cells can often result in a loss of speech. However, a person may have the opportunity to continue living as normally as possible with the use of Esophageal Speech. Although a person has to adapt to this new method of speaking, it allows them to still express themselves with their voice, even after surgery.
The Larynx is located at the trachea and at the base of the tongue, consisting of three main parts known as Supraglottis, Glottis and Subglottis which all work together to create a properly working Larynx. It separates humans from other mammals because it is responsible for voice resonance and spoken language. The larynx is essential for many other bodily functions including swallowing, phonation and respiration. However, the larynx can be broken down into two primary functions

Get Access