0:41

Going further down towards the voice box, we see the epiglottis ( at the bottom of the picture, at the 4-7 o’clock position).The larger flat area at the top of the picture is the “posterior pharyngeal wall” or the back wall of the food pipe. This is the wall we normally see on saying a wide ‘Ahhh” in front of the mirror. In the middle the “V” shaped structure is the opening of the voice box. The dark line running across horizontally from the 3 O’clock to the 8 o’clock position is the opening of the food pipe (oesophagus) which normally remains closed as it is here.

0:45

The patient is asked to say “eee” and the vocal cords are seen to come close to each other. The vocal cords are the two whitish cords seen in the middle.

0:49

The patient is asked to take a deep breath and the vocal cords move furthest away from each other. The space opened up leads straight down into the wind pipe.

0:59

The upper end of the wind pipe is clearly seen. The thick pinkish band at the top of the picture running across horizontally from the 2 o’clock position to the 9 o’clock position is composed of the two small pieces of cartilage which drive the vocal cords. One is located at each end back end of the vocal cord. The intervening part which walls off the back part of the voice box opening is called the “interarytenoid area”. In case of acid reflux from the stomach, this area and the arytenoids on either ends of the vocal cords get swollen or congested.

1:11

The examination ends with a gentle withdrawal of the telescope.