Laryngoscope

Description

Laryngoscope

A laryngoscopy (lair-in-GAHS-kuh-pee) is a test healthcare providers perform to examine your larynx (voice box). They perform this test with a laryngoscope, a thin tube with lights, lens and video cameras that help them to look closely at your larynx

What is my larynx?

Your larynx is located between your throat and your trachea (windpipe). Your larynx houses your vocal cords (vocal folds), which enable you to speak and sing. Your epiglottis sits on top of your larynx. Your epiglottis is a flap that closes when you eat or drink so items intended for your esophagus (food pipe) don’t end up in your larynx or in your airway. When people talk about something going down the wrong pipe, the pipe they’re talking about is your larynx.

When would I need a laryngoscopy?

Your healthcare provider may recommend a laryngoscopy to diagnose problems like dysphonia (hoarseness) or to diagnose laryngitis. They may also do laryngoscopies to diagnose more serious conditions such as laryngeal cancer.

Doctors sometimes use a small device to look into your throat and larynx, or voice box.They may do this to figure out why you have a cough or sore throat, to find and remove something that’s stuck in there, or to take samples of your tissue to look at later.