Neurolaryngology: past, present, and future

Neurolaryngology is the study and management of disorders that impair neural control of the larynx and pharynx in breathing, swallowing, and speech. Advances in functional endoscopy and fluoroscopy and increased understanding of neurophysiology have greatly facilitated the development of this discipline. The empiric observations of effective therapies have been equally important, however. In comparison to other fields of medicine, neurolaryngology is a relatively young discipline, and much remains to be discovered and developed.