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Neurologic and Neurodegenerative Diseases of the Larynx pp 21–40Cite as

Neuroanatomy of Voice and Swallowing

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Abstract

Vocalization and swallowing share a basic neuroanatomy of the larynx. The human larynx is innervated by a diverse and rich network of nerve fibers connecting to the brain for complex tasks such as in voice and swallowing. A precise and timely sensorimotor integration is necessary for planning, execution, and evaluation of the movement of laryngeal musculatures. This chapter aims to provide a functional review of essential neuroanatomic substrates in voice and swallowing. The neuroanatomy of the central and peripheral nervous systems related to voice and swallowing functions is reviewed.

Specifically, the laryngeal motor cortex, limbic areas, and the brainstem central pattern generators are reviewed with respect to their central neural control for volitional and non-volitional/reflexive acts of voice and swallowing musculatures. Important cranial nerves and their relationship to voice and swallowing are also presented. These peripheral nerves provide sensory inputs and motor outputs of the laryngeal musculatures to and from the central nervous system. In particular, this chapter reviews two terminal branches of the vagus nerve, namely, the superior and recurrent laryngeal nerves that innervate the intrinsic and extrinsic laryngeal musculature. Injury to the superior and recurrent laryngeal nerves has complex implications to an individual’s voice and swallowing functions, and thus a fundamental understanding of their neuroanatomy is essential for clinical evaluation of neurogenic voice and swallowing disorders.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Nicole Y. K. Li-Jessen & Chelsea Ridgway

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  1. Nicole Y. K. Li-Jessen
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  2. Chelsea Ridgway
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Correspondence to Nicole Y. K. Li-Jessen .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

    Philip A. Weissbrod

  2. Division of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA

    David O. Francis

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Li-Jessen, N.Y.K., Ridgway, C. (2020). Neuroanatomy of Voice and Swallowing. In: Weissbrod, P., Francis, D. (eds) Neurologic and Neurodegenerative Diseases of the Larynx. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28852-5_3

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