Vortical flow field during phonation in an excised canine larynx model

To more fully understand the mechanisms of vocal fold vibration and sound production, we studied the velocity flow fields above the folds. Such velocity fields during phonation have not been reported in the literature.

Using the particle image velocimetry method for 3 excised canine larynges, we obtained the velocity fields in the mid-membranous coronal plane during different phases of phonation. The velocity field was determined synchronously with the vocal fold motion recorded by high-speed videography.

The results show that vortices occur immediately above the vocal folds and that the location and shape of the vortices depend on the phase of the phonation cycle. Consistent vortical structures found included starting vortices, Kelvin-Helmholtz vortices, entrainment vortices, and vortices directly above the folds during the divergent glottal stage.

These vortical structures were consistently found during specific phases of the glottal cycle for 3 canine larynges that significantly varied in size. This consistent behavior suggests that the vortices may be important for both vibration and sound production; however, further study is needed to prove this. The clinical significance of these vortices is discussed.