Nomenclature of voice disorders and vocal pathology

An improved nomenclature framework is crucial to improve communication regarding voice problems and to advance the field of voice disorders. The subjective nature of the voice evaluation process does not lend itself readily to uniformity and most voice-disordered patients demonstrate multiple pathologic processes. In this article, the authors offer a broad-based nomenclature paradigm for the classification of voice disorders and vocal pathology. Four major categories of voice disorders are identified based on pathophysiology and auditory-perceptual and visual-perceptual observations. As the understanding of vocal fold biomechanics and pathophysiology evolves, it is expected that this nomenclature system will also increase in specificity.