Laryngeal chorea is a medical condition marked by involuntary spasms of the laryngeal muscles, particularly those that control vocalization. The word "laryngeal" refers to the larynx or voice box, while "chorea" means "dance-like movements." In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is spelled /ləˈrɪndʒiəl kəˈriə/. The "laryngeal" portion is pronounced with a schwa sound between the "l" and "a", while "chorea" is pronounced with a stressed "o" and a weakly pronounced "e". Proper spelling is important for accurate communication about medical conditions.
Laryngeal chorea is a medical term used to describe a specific movement disorder that affects the muscles of the larynx. It is characterized by involuntary, irregular, and rapid contractions or spasms of the muscles that control the vocal cords and other structures in the larynx.
These uncontrollable movements can lead to a range of symptoms including voice changes, vocal cord dysfunction, difficulty speaking or breathing, and in severe cases, complete loss of ability to produce sound. These symptoms may also be accompanied by other motor abnormalities like facial grimacing or tongue thrusting.
Laryngeal chorea is most commonly associated with certain neurological disorders, such as Huntington's disease or Sydenham's chorea, but can also occur as an isolated condition without any identified underlying cause. The exact mechanism that leads to the development of laryngeal chorea is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve dysfunction or damage to the basal ganglia, a part of the brain involved in motor control.
The diagnosis of laryngeal chorea is based on clinical observation of the characteristic motor abnormalities and may require additional tests, such as imaging studies or blood tests, to rule out other possible causes. Treatment options for laryngeal chorea vary depending on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms, but can include medications to reduce muscle spasms, speech therapy, and in some cases, surgical interventions to improve vocal cord function.
A spasmodictic involving the muscles, resulting in an explosive manner of talking.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "laryngeal" originates from the Greek word "larynx", which refers to the voice box. The term "chorea" comes from the Greek word "khoreia", meaning a dance or a movement disorder.
"Laryngeal chorea" combines these two terms to describe a movement disorder characterized by involuntary spasmodic contractions of the muscles in and around the larynx (voice box), causing abnormal vocalization and difficulty speaking. The etymology of the term reflects the specific location (larynx) and the nature of the movement disorder (chorea).