MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Spasmodic dysphonia

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Spasmodic dysphonia

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Illustrations Alternative names	Definition

Illustrations

Central nervous system

Alternative names Return to top

Dysphonia - spasmodic

Definition Return to top

Spasmodic dysphonia involves difficulty speaking because of repetitive or continuous contraction (dystonia) of the muscles that control the vocal cords.

The excessive activity of the vocal cord muscles drives the vocal cords either too close or too far apart, causing a hoarse sounding voice (known as adductor dysphonia) or a whispery, high pitched voice (abductor dysphonia), respectively.

Update Date: 4/22/2004

Updated by: Joseph V. Campellone, M.D., Division of Neurology, Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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