Laryngitis
Medical Author: Benjamin C. Wedro, MD, FAAEM
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
What is laryngitis?
The larynx is the voice box
that allows us to speak, shout, whisper, and
sing. The larynx consists of a cartilage skeleton that houses the vocal cords,
which are covered by a mucus lining. Muscles inside the larynx adjust the
position, shape, and tension of the vocal cords, allowing us to make different
sounds. Any change in the air flow (which is generated by the lungs) across the
vocal cords will affect the voice and the quality of the sound.
The larynx is located at the junction of the mouth and trachea and has a
flap-like covering called the epiglottis, whose job it is to prevent food and
saliva from entering the larynx during swallowing.
Laryngitis (larynx + itis = inflammation) is an inflammation of the voice box,
causing a hoarse or gravelly-sounding voice or even an inability to speak.
Picture of the larynx and trachea
What causes laryngitis?
Laryngitis is an inflammation of the vocal cords. Most commonly, acute laryngitis is
caused by an infection that inflames the vocal cords.
In infants and young
children, the classic signs and symptoms of an inflamed larynx include:
Similarly, in adults, a viral upper respiratory
tract infection may be associated with:
Rarely, since most people are immunized and protected against this
infection, diphtheria may cause laryngitis-like symptoms.
Laryngitis may also be caused by voice overuse with excess talking, singing,
or shouting.
Chronic laryngitis, often described as lasting for more than three weeks, may
be caused by prolonged alcohol use, smoking, and
excess coughing.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may cause
laryngeal inflammation and chronic cough, if acid and digestive juices from the
stomach reflux up into the esophagus and back of the throat. Sometimes people
are aware of the presence of the acid and experience waterbrash, a sour taste in their mouth. Repeat spills
of acid onto the vocal cords will cause a chemical irritation and result in
inflammation of the vocal cords that hinders appropriate vibration and
generation of sound.
Chronic irritation of the vocal cords may also cause
polyps or nodules to form on the vocal cords, which may affect the ability of
the vocal cords to vibrate, again causing hoarseness.
The muscles that control vocal cord shape and position need to work properly
for the voice to sound normal.
- Damage to the muscles or to the nerves that
control them will lead to hoarseness. These nerves may be damaged if there has
been trauma to the neck or
if surgery has been performed and the nerves inadvertently irritated or severed.
- Tumors in the neck and chest may compress the nerves and cause them to function
poorly.
- Thyroid inflammation and
enlargement can also cause irritation of nerves that supply the vocal cord
muscles.
Stroke may also cause vocal cord muscle paralysis and lead to a weak, hoarse
voice and swallowing problems.
Next: What are the symptoms of laryngitis? »
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