How to Pronounce Vocal Fold Scar
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Vocal Fold Scar Pronunciation
VOH-kal FOHLD SKAR
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
VOH
stress here
kal FOHLD SKAR
2 syllables
What is Vocal Fold Scar?
Fibrosis (scar tissue formation) within the vocal cord as a result of surgery, trauma, radiation, or infection, which stiffens the vocal cord and impairs its vibration. It causes a persistent, often severe voice disorder that is among the most difficult voice problems to treat.
Questions About Vocal Fold Scar
How do you pronounce 'vocal fold scar'?
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Say it like this: VOH-kal FOHLD SKAR. The first word rhymes with 'local,' the second word sounds like 'fold' (as in folding paper), and the third word is pronounced just like the word 'scar.' Put the stress on the first syllable of the first word: VOH-kal.
What does 'vocal fold' mean in simple terms?
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Your vocal folds are two small stretchy tissues inside your voice box (called the larynx) that vibrate to make sound when you speak or sing. They're also called vocal cords, though 'vocal folds' is the more accurate medical term since they're shaped more like folds than strings.
Why is it called a 'scar' in medical terms?
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A scar is thick, stiff tissue that forms after an injury heals. In vocal fold scar, the normal stretchy tissue gets replaced with this stiff scar tissue, which is why the medical term uses the word 'scar' just like you'd use it for a scar on your skin.
What's the difference between 'vocal fold' and 'vocal cord'?
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These two terms mean the same thing and are used interchangeably in medicine. 'Vocal cord' is the older name, while 'vocal fold' is the more modern and anatomically accurate term because the structures look more like folds than cords.
How do you break 'vocal fold scar' into syllables?
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Break it down like this: VO-cal FOLD SCAR. The first word has two syllables, while 'fold' and 'scar' are each one syllable, making three syllables total in the whole phrase.
What is the most common mispronunciation of this term?
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People often put the stress on the second syllable and say vo-KAL instead of VO-kal. Remember: the stress belongs on the first syllable, so it should sound like VO-kal FOHLD SKAR, not vo-KAL.
In plain English, what does 'vocal fold scar' mean?
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It means scar tissue has formed on one or both of the structures in your voice box that vibrate to create sound. The scarring makes these tissues stiff and less flexible, which affects how well they can vibrate and produce voice.
What other medical words use the term 'vocal fold'?
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You might hear terms like 'vocal fold paralysis' (when the fold can't move), 'vocal fold dysfunction' (when it doesn't work properly), or 'vocal fold nodules' (small bumps on the fold). All of these describe different conditions affecting the same structures in your voice box.