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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.
Papillomatosis:
A term denoting growth of wart-like or velvety lesions of
the vocal folds, upper part of the larynx, or tracheobronchial
tree, caused by chronic infection with the human
papilloma virus (HPV).
Paralytic falsetto:
See obligatory falsetto.
Paralyzed vocal folds:
See vocal fold paralysis,
unilateral and vocal fold paralysis, bilateral.
Pedunculated:
Attached by a stalk; the opposite of sessile.
*Perimenopausal voice change:
A syndrome that seems to be related to the effect on voice
of declining estrogen levels. Some women seem to escape this
problem almost entirely, others experience pronounced symptoms.
When severe, the affected woman will note the following: (1)
upper range is either lacking, or extremely effortful; (2)
there is paralaryngeal discomfort and muscular tension when
she attempts to sing in the upper range; (3) there is a tendency
to sing flat in the upper range. May be counteracted with
varying degrees of success through vocal exercise and/or estrogen
replacement therapy.
Phenomenology:
See vocal phenomenology
Phonation: The process
of making vocal sound by bringing vocal folds together while
a stream of pulmonary air passes between them, causing them
to vibrate. Roughly, this means to “make voice.”
Phonatory arrest:
A manifestation of spasmodic dysphonia,
a part of its phenomenology,
in which the voice suddenly “chokes off” in the
middle of an intended sound causing a brief instant of silence
before the voice starts again.
Pitch:
Where voice is concerned, refers to the highness or lowness
of a tone, perceived through the sense of hearing, that correlates
with the fundamental frequency
or rate of vibration of the vocal folds.
Polypoid degeneration:
Used synonymously with Reinke’s
edema and smoker’s
polyps. Refers to the diffuse (generalized) submucosal
edema most often seen in long-term smokers who are also somewhat
talkative. In other words, this condition is rare in non-smokers
and also rare in taciturn smokers. Polypoid degeneration tends
to virilize (masculinize) the quality and capabilities of
a voice, and this is most noticed in women.
Pontocaine:
The chemical name for the most common topical anesthetic used
at BVI to anesthetize the nasal passage in preparation for
passage of the flexible videoendoscope
or fiberscope. When applied topically, pontocaine numbs the
mucosa for between 15 and 30 minutes.
Post-radiation telangiectasia:
Atypical dilation of capillaries, or formation of new ones,
in response to radiation. These are typically seen in the
laryngopharynx after radiation
and are a benign but sometimes impressive-looking tissue change.
Often, post-radiation telangiectasia does not appear until
a year or more following the end of the course of radiation.
Presbyphagia:
A term used to describe swallowing difficulty of the sort
that can be associated with the aging process: the process
of swallowing as a whole is inefficient and reduced in vigor.
Common findings include globally (as opposed to focally) reduced
muscle bulk, often seen in vocal folds and not just pharyngeal
wall musculature; globally reduced strength of contraction
of the pharynx; tendency for retention/pooling of a part of
swallowed food or liquid in the vallecula or pyriform sinus(es).
Presbyphagia may be associated with cricopharyngeus
muscle dysfunction and, when severe, aspiration.
Primary treatment:
Refers to the first or main treatment of a condition.
Example: An individual with larynx cancer
may have primary treatment involving surgery, followed by
radiation therapy.
Pulmonary function
tests (PFTs): A set of tests that evaluate the
mechanical and functional capabilities of the lung and airways.
PFTs may non-invasively investigate breathing problems, establish
severity, assess risk for general anesthesia, and help determine
whether a patient is a candidate for conservation cancer
surgery.
Pulse register:
See vocal fry.
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