Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
A correlation of the endoscopic and pathological changes in subclinical pathology of the horse's larynx.
- Journal:
- Equine veterinary journal
- Year:
- 1977
- Authors:
- Duncan, I D et al.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In a study involving six horses, researchers looked at the larynx (the voice box) using a special camera and compared what they saw with the physical and microscopic structure of the laryngeal muscles and their nerves. They found that the balance between the muscles that open and close the larynx was disrupted, likely due to some muscles weakening or shrinking. This led to noticeable issues like one side of the larynx being uneven and the left vocal cord and cartilage shaking or fluttering. The researchers believe these changes could be early signs of a worsening condition that might lead to a serious problem called left-sided laryngeal hemiplegia, where one side of the larynx becomes paralyzed.
Abstract
The larynges of 6 horses were examined endoscopically and the findings correlated with the gross and histological appearance of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles and their nerve supply. In all cases it appeared that the balance between abductor and adductor muscle groups had been lost due to preferential atrophy of individual muscles or groups of muscles. The laryngeal abnormalities recorded were asymmetry of the larynx with asynchronous left sided abduction and fluttering or trembling of the left vocal cord and arytenoid cartilage. It is suggested that these changes represent the early signs of a progressive lesion which may result in left sided laryngeal hemiplegia.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/923556/