Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026

A Reproducible Cartilage Impact Model to Generate Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis in the Rabbit
Published on: November 21, 2023
Vocal Fold Injury Produces Similar Biomechanical Outcomes in Male and Female Rabbits
Trent Sherman1, Patrick Schlegel1, Rodell Santuray1
1Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
Objective:
Sex differences in response to trauma and physiologic stressors have been identified in numerous organ systems but have not yet been defined in the larynx. The objective of this study was to develop an endoscopic vocal fold injury model in rabbits and to compare structural and functional outcomes between male and female subjects.
Study Design:
Basic science study.
Methods:
Two male and two female rabbits underwent unilateral endoscopic cordectomy. Animals were intubated with a size 3-0 neonatal endotracheal tube, and laryngoscopy was performed with a 4 mm Hopkins rod telescope. While visualizing, a 2 mm cupped forceps grasped and resected the mid-membranous portion of the right true vocal fold. Larynges were then harvested after 8weeks. Excised larynx phonation with high-speed videography and kymography was used to assess vibrational quality. Tissue elastic (Young's) modulus was measured by indentation.
Results:
Injured larynges phonated with fundamental frequencies between 237-415 Hz. In both males and females, the scarred vocal fold exhibited an increased Young's modulus compared to the contralateral nonoperated vocal fold. There were no notable differences in glottal closure pattern or vocal fold oscillation symmetry between sexes.
Conclusion:
We have demonstrated a model for vocal fold scarring in rabbits. Vibrational and structural outcomes were similar between the examined male and female larynges.
Related Concept Videos
X-linked Traits
Sex-linked Disorders
Dosage Compensation
In addition to sexual development, the X chromosome has genes involved in autosomal functions such as brain development and the immune system. Therefore, males and females with distinct numbers of X chromosomes will have...
Equivalent Couples
Two couples are considered to be equivalent if they produce the same rotational effect on a rigid body. In other words, the two couples have the same magnitude and act in the same direction, causing the same angular displacement or acceleration in the body.
For instance, consider two couples lying in the plane of the page, with one having a pair of equal...
Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
Impact Loading
In cases of elastic deformation,...

