Normal Example 
In this normal example movie, notice how the vocal cords open during breathing and close together during speech. Notice the following activities of the vocal cords: breathing, speaking, high pitch, low pitch, whispering and coughing.
High Speed Imaging
A new technique of imaging vocal cord motion called high-speed digital imaging (HSDI) can provide much greater information about how the vocal cords vibrate. Currently our laboratory is investigating ways to use this information to describe how vocal cords vibrate in different pathological states.
The Vocal Cords at the Beginning of Speech
The Vocal Cords as Speech Stops
Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy is the technique of looking at the airway under anesthesia; a fiberoptic camera is passed between the vocal cords and into the trachea and bronchi to allow for inspection and biopsies if needed.
Bronchoscopy
A variety of disorders and conditions can compromise the function of the airway and the esophagus, leading to trouble speaking, breathing, or swallowing. Below are examples of cases treated at the Stanford Voice and Swallowing Center.
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An infection of the vocal cord caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
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Papilloma of left vocal cord (arrow)
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Papilloma Interfering with Normal Vocal Cord Closure
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An inflammatory growth of the vocal cord; may be caused by acid reflux and can cause hoarseness, throat pain, and ear pain
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Granuloma of right vocal cord
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Another granuloma of the vocal process (arrow)
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Granuloma removed measuring 1.5cm
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An outpouching or hernia of the esophageal wall which can cause difficulty swallowing with regurgitation of food; can be treated endoscopically by stapling or by removing through an incision in the neck
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Zenker's Diverticulum Before Endoscopic Stapling
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Zenker's Diverticulum After Endoscopic Stapling
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This can be caused for a variety of reasons, including tumors in the neck or trauma. Once or even both vocal cords can be affected. Surgery may be performed to readjust the vocal cords to restore normal speaking and breathing.
Left Vocal Cord Paralysis
Right Vocal Cord Paralysis Pre-Operative
Right Vocal Cord Paralysis Post-Operative
 
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MRI scan demonstrating mass in neck causing paralyzed right vocal cord.
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Scarring of the front vocal cords (arrow).
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Scarring of the back of the vocal cords (arrow).
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Subglottic stenosis is a narrowing of the airway below the level of the vocal cords; can lead to difficulty breathing and speaking; may be caused by such diseases as Wegener's granulomatosis, sarcoidosis and tuberculosis; in some situations the cause is unknown.
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Subglottic Stenosis
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Subglottic Stenosis Before Dilation
Subglottic Stenosis After Dilation
Cancer of the Larynx
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Is usually caused by patients who smoke or consume large amounts of alcohol, cancer can cause hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, weight loss, and throat pain. Cancer can spread from the vocal cords to involve other areas of the throat.
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Cancer
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Cancer of the left vocal cord.
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Cancer of the right vocal cord.
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Tracheal stenosis is a narrowing or scarring of the inside of the trachea can produce difficulty breathing; treatment may be surgical excision, dilation, or stenting.
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Endoscopic view of stenosis
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Resected segment of trachea
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3-D CT reconstruction of trachea showing stenosis at mid level
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Dysphagia is difficulty swallowing. Muscular dysfunction, scarring and tumors may all produce dysphagia.
Cricopharyngeal Spasm
Cricopharyngeal spasm is dysfunction of the upper most valve of the esophagus. This muscular valve normally allows the esophagus to open during swallowing. In cricopharyngeal spasm, this valve does not open properly, causing difficulty swallowing and resulting in a significant collection of liquid or food in the back of the throat.
It may be be due to dysfunction of the muscular valve that allows the esophagus to open, resulting in significant collection of liquid or food in the back of the throat.
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Severe pooling of saliva (arrow) secondary to cricopharyngeal spasm.
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Tumors can also present as trouble swallowing. This patient developed a lymphoma of the left tongue base (arrow).
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Tumors in the neck can also cause dysphagia. This patient developed a large parathyroid adenoma (a benign tumor of the gland that regulates calcium metabolism) which was subsequently removed surgically.
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Large adenoma (arrow) seen behind the thyroid gland (asterisk).
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3.5 cm adenoma removed.
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Parathyroid adenoma removed from neck.
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Webs or rings within the esophagus can obstruct the passage of food and lead to dysphagia.
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Esophageal Web
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Schatzki's ring
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Teflon Granuloma is an unusual complication of the injection of Teflon into a vocal cord for vocal cord paralysis.
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Teflon Granuloma
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Leukoplakia is a potentially precancerous condition of the vocal cords and can be seen in smokers.
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Leukoplakia
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Leukoplakia that has more of a red or ulcerated appearance can also be precancerous.
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Erythroleukoplakia (arrow)
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Bowing can be seen for a variety of reasons, including aging or such neurological diseases as Parkinson's disease.
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Bowing of left vocal cord before injection (arrow).
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Left vocal cord after injection (arrow).
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Polyps are benign tumors that can produce hoarseness from their bulk.
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Typical polyp involving right vocal cord (arrow).
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Large vascularized polyp of the right vocal cord (arrow).
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On further manipulation, polyp is seen to have a stalk which attaches to cord (arrow).
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Sulcus vocalis is a defect or divot in the surface of the vocal cord. This can be congenital or acquired. Vibration of the vocal cord is impaired at this location, leading to a poor traveling waveform and hoarseness.
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Sulcus of right vocal cord (arrow).
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Another sulcus.
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Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection of the vocal cords can lead to the development of dysplasia, a pre-cancerous disease of the vocal cords.
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Severe dysplasia of the vocal cords.
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