Effects of the continuous LP system stimulation during and in absence of phonation. (A) Aligned vocal folds during phonation of the vowel [eee]. The position of both arytenoid cartilages is symmetric and the vocal folds show the same length and tension. The adduction required to phonate overrides the abduction elicited by the LP system. (B) Abduction of the right vocal fold caused by electrical posterior cricoarytenoid muscle stimulation via the LP system in absence of phonation. The right arytenoid cartilage shows dorsolateral shifting, whereas the vocal fold is driven into a position that can be classified between paramedian and intermedial. Accordingly, the stimulation mediated by the LP system results in the formation of a clearly visible glottal gap of about 3 to 4 mm.
Credit: Copyright 2017 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.