What is the difference between a vocal fold and a vocal cord?
Over the past decade, we have learned a tremendous amount about the vocal mechanism. This has lead to a greater understanding of the vocal fold anatomy and physiology involved in voice production. We now understand that the “vocal cord” is really made up of muscle, three different layers of tissue in a structure called the ‘lamina propria’ and a layer of mucosa that moves in a wave-like motion over the lamina propria. This lead to the change of terminology from “vocal cord” to “vocal fold”, as the structure is more like a fold of muscle and tissue vibrating in a complex manner rather than a “cord” merely vibrating with air.
