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Glossary
Note: Within a definition, words in italics are defined elsewhere in the glossary. Words beginning with * were coined or brought into the language of voice disorders by Dr. Bastian, or to our knowledge are used primarily by BVI physicians and Bastian-trained fellows. Please note that we may be adding terms to this list from time to time. Copyright © 2008 Bastian Voice Institute.
Gastroesophageal reflux
disease (GERD): A syndrome caused by structural
or functional incompetence of the lower
esophageal sphincter, which permits retrograde flow
of acidic gastric juice into the esophagus, and up to the
level of the larynx and pharynx (throat). GERD is potentiated
by obesity, large, late meals before bed, alcohol, acidic,
salty, or spicy foods. Treatment can include dietary modification,
placing the frame of the bed on a head-to-toe slant, and a
variety of medications that decrease stomach acidity
General anesthesia: A
state of drug-induced, reversible loss of consciousness utilized,
for example, to facilitate surgery. Drugs that induce general
anesthesia may be administered intravenously or via inhalation
of a gas or vapor.
Glottic sulcus: Refers
to a degenerative lesion consisting of the empty “pocket”
of what was formerly a cyst under the mucosa of the vocal
fold. The lips of the sulcus may be seen faintly during laryngeal
stroboscopy. Or, vibratory characteristics may suggest this
lesion. The lesion may be overlooked unless one is familiar
with this entity. To paraphrase eminent French laryngeal microsurgeon
Dr. Marc Bouchayer, these lesions are diagnosed much more
frequently once you know about them than before. At present,
aside from having the patient coexist peacefully with this
problem via voice therapy and other measures, surgery is the
primary treatment modality.
Glottic web:
Rather than mucosa or mucus
membrane covering each vocal fold individually, so that a
crisp “V” is formed, a continuous sheet of mucosa
joins the vocal folds together. An analogy may be made to
the web between adjacent fingers. Glottic web may be congenital,
or it may result from injury. Classic teaching is that surgeons
ought not to operate on the anterior portion of both vocal
folds simultaneously, because the raw, de-epithelialized surfaces
may grow together and create an anterior glottic web. Some
webs do not need to be addressed because the effect on voice
is minimal; in other cases, surgical approaches are indicated
because of the poor voice often associated with this abnormality.
Glottis:
The middle part of the larynx, between supraglottis
and subglottis, where the
vocal folds and the space between them are located.
Granulation:
See granuloma.
Granuloma: A mass or lump
of chronically irritated tissue that may be viewed in the
larynx as an “exuberant healing response that didn’t
know when to quit.” Sometimes referred to as proud flesh.
The typical location in the larynx is in the posterior vocal
fold, in response to an endotracheal tube. May also be seen
as a part of the reparative sequence in about 10% of persons
who undergo laser excision of a cancer.
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