Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 3, 2026

Hemi-laryngeal Setup for Studying Vocal Fold Vibration in Three Dimensions
Published on: November 25, 2017
A finite element study on the cause of vocal fold vertical stiffness variation
Biao Geng1, Qian Xue1, Xudong Zheng1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, Maine 04473, USA biao.geng@maine.edu, qian.xue@maine.edu, xudong.zheng@maine.edu.
Abstract:
A finite element method based numerical indentation technique was used to quantify the effect of the material stiffness variation and the subglottal convergence angle of the vocal fold on the vertical stiffness difference of the medial surface. It was found that the vertical stiffness difference increased with the increasing subglottal angle, and it tended to saturate beyond a subglottal angle of about 50°. The material stiffness variation could be as important as the subglottal angle depending on the actual material properties.
Related Concept Videos
Bending and Torsional Moments
The reaction developed in a structural element when subjected to an external force causes the element to bend. When a structural element bends upwards, it creates compressive normal forces on the top and tensile normal forces on the bottom, resulting in a couple that determines the bending...
Bending of Members Made of Several Materials
Hooke's Law determines stress in each material, stating that stress is proportional to strain but varies due to each material's...
Larynx
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids,...
Flexural Stress
Hooke's Law states that within the material's elastic limits, stress is directly proportional to strain. In a member experiencing a bending moment, the strain at any point is relative to its distance...
Bending of Curved Members - Strain Analysis
The important part of bending analysis for such a member...
Residual Stresses in Bending

