Laryngitis is an inflammation Inflammation Inflammation is a complex set of responses to infection and injury involving leukocytes as the principal cellular mediators in the body's defense against pathogenic organisms. Inflammation is also seen as a response to tissue injury in the process of wound healing. The 5 cardinal signs of inflammation are pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function. Inflammation of the larynx Larynx The larynx, also commonly called the voice box, is a cylindrical space located in the neck at the level of the C3-C6 vertebrae. The major structures forming the framework of the larynx are the thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, and epiglottis. The larynx serves to produce sound (phonation), conducts air to the trachea, and prevents large molecules from reaching the lungs. Larynx: Anatomy most commonly due to infection or trauma that can be either acute or chronic. In this condition, the 2 folds of mucous membranes that make up the vocal cords Vocal cords A pair of cone-shaped elastic mucous membrane projecting from the laryngeal wall and forming a narrow slit between them. Each contains a thickened free edge (vocal ligament) extending from the thyroid cartilage to the arytenoid cartilage, and a vocal muscle that shortens or relaxes the vocal cord to control sound production. Larynx: Anatomy become inflamed and irritated. The inflammation Inflammation Inflammation is a complex set of responses to infection and injury involving leukocytes as the principal cellular mediators in the body's defense against pathogenic organisms. Inflammation is also seen as a response to tissue injury in the process of wound healing. The 5 cardinal signs of inflammation are pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function. Inflammation results in a distortion Distortion Defense Mechanisms of the voice produced, resulting in a hoarse sound that may lead to an inability to produce any sound (aphonia) in severe cases. In the presence of an infectious Infectious Febrile Infant cause, patients Patients Individuals participating in the health care system for the purpose of receiving therapeutic, diagnostic, or preventive procedures. Clinician–Patient Relationship often also present with rhinorrhea Rhinorrhea Excess nasal drainage. Respiratory Syncytial Virus, cough, and mild sore throat Sore throat Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the back of the throat (pharynx). Pharyngitis is usually caused by an upper respiratory tract infection, which is viral in most cases. It typically results in a sore throat and fever. Other symptoms may include a runny nose, cough, headache, and hoarseness. Pharyngitis.
Last updated: 30 Nov, 2020
Laryngitis may be secondary to infection, allergies Allergies A medical specialty concerned with the hypersensitivity of the individual to foreign substances and protection from the resultant infection or disorder. Selective IgA Deficiency, trauma, benign Benign Fibroadenoma or malignant lesions, neurologic dysfunction, functional issues, or systemic causes (see table).
Causes of acute laryngitis | Causes of chronic laryngitis |
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Viral (most common):
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History
Signs and Symptoms ( variable Variable Variables represent information about something that can change. The design of the measurement scales, or of the methods for obtaining information, will determine the data gathered and the characteristics of that data. As a result, a variable can be qualitative or quantitative, and may be further classified into subgroups. Types of Variables)
Inflamed, erythematous vocal cords Vocal cords A pair of cone-shaped elastic mucous membrane projecting from the laryngeal wall and forming a narrow slit between them. Each contains a thickened free edge (vocal ligament) extending from the thyroid cartilage to the arytenoid cartilage, and a vocal muscle that shortens or relaxes the vocal cord to control sound production. Larynx: Anatomy demonstrate injury in a patient with a chronic cough. Notice a distinct area of injury on the left vocal cord posteriorly.
Image: “The larynx in cough” by Consultant Otolaryngologist, Imperial College London, London, UK. License: CC BY 2.0Acute laryngitis | Chronic laryngitis |
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Viral
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Reflux
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Bacterial
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Inflammatory
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Fungal
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Autoimmune
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Trauma
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Granulomatous
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Acute
Chronic
The following conditions are in included in the differential diagnoses of laryngitis: