Biomaterial Database

Transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve: a method of controlling vocal cord position. 1986

I Sanders, and J Aviv, and H F Biller

This study was designed to examine the feasibility of transcutaneous stimulation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Electrical activation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve was achieved by applying a blunt electrode to the intact neck skin at specific points along the tracheoesophageal groove in anesthetized adult dogs. The stimulus consisted of 10 mA cathodal pulses, each of 1 msec duration, delivered at a frequency of 10 Hz and increased by 10 Hz increments up to 100 Hz. Vocal cord excursion was directly related to the frequency of applied current. In all six dogs studies, stimulation at 30 Hz resulted in maximal ipsilateral vocal cord abduction, while stimulation at frequencies greater than 40 Hz resulted in ipsilateral vocal cord adduction up to or across the midline. Vocal cord movement was immediate and persisted for the duration of the stimulus train. Surrounding neck muscles were not visibly activated. We propose that the observed frequency-dependent movement of the vocal cords occurred because of the difference between the contraction times of the intrinsic abductor and adductor muscles of the larynx. Transcutaneous recurrent laryngeal nerve stimulation appears promising, both as a diagnostic aid in laryngoscopy and as a therapeutic tool in controlling the glottic aperture.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007823	Laryngeal Nerves	Branches of the VAGUS NERVE. The superior laryngeal nerves originate near the nodose ganglion and separate into external branches, which supply motor fibers to the cricothyroid muscles, and internal branches, which carry sensory fibers. The RECURRENT LARYNGEAL NERVE originates more caudally and carries efferents to all muscles of the larynx except the cricothyroid. The laryngeal nerves and their various branches also carry sensory and autonomic fibers to the laryngeal, pharyngeal, tracheal, and cardiac regions.	Laryngeal Nerve, Superior,Laryngeal Nerve,Laryngeal Nerves, Superior,Nerve, Laryngeal,Nerve, Superior Laryngeal,Nerves, Laryngeal,Nerves, Superior Laryngeal,Superior Laryngeal Nerve,Superior Laryngeal Nerves
D007828	Laryngoscopy	Examination, therapy or surgery of the interior of the larynx performed with a specially designed endoscope.	Laryngoscopic Surgical Procedures,Surgical Procedures, Laryngoscopic,Laryngoscopic Surgery,Surgery, Laryngoscopic,Laryngoscopic Surgeries,Laryngoscopic Surgical Procedure,Laryngoscopies,Procedure, Laryngoscopic Surgical,Procedures, Laryngoscopic Surgical,Surgeries, Laryngoscopic,Surgical Procedure, Laryngoscopic
D008297	Male		Males
D009068	Movement	The act, process, or result of passing from one place or position to another. It differs from LOCOMOTION in that locomotion is restricted to the passing of the whole body from one place to another, while movement encompasses both locomotion but also a change of the position of the whole body or any of its parts. Movement may be used with reference to humans, vertebrate and invertebrate animals, and microorganisms. Differentiate also from MOTOR ACTIVITY, movement associated with behavior.	Movements
D012009	Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve	Branches of the vagus (tenth cranial) nerve. The recurrent laryngeal nerves originate more caudally than the superior laryngeal nerves and follow different paths on the right and left sides. They carry efferents to all muscles of the larynx except the cricothyroid and carry sensory and autonomic fibers to the laryngeal, pharyngeal, tracheal, and cardiac regions.	Laryngeal Nerve, Inferior,Inferior Laryngeal Nerve,Inferior Laryngeal Nerves,Laryngeal Nerve, Recurrent,Laryngeal Nerves, Inferior,Laryngeal Nerves, Recurrent,Nerve, Inferior Laryngeal,Nerve, Recurrent Laryngeal,Nerves, Inferior Laryngeal,Nerves, Recurrent Laryngeal,Recurrent Laryngeal Nerves
D004285	Dogs	The domestic dog, Canis familiaris, comprising about 400 breeds, of the carnivore family CANIDAE. They are worldwide in distribution and live in association with people. (Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed, p1065)	Canis familiaris,Dog
D004558	Electric Stimulation	Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses.	Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
D004599	Electric Stimulation Therapy	Application of electric current in treatment without the generation of perceptible heat. It includes electric stimulation of nerves or muscles, passage of current into the body, or use of interrupted current of low intensity to raise the detection threshold of the skin to pain.	Electrotherapy,Electrical Stimulation Therapy,Interferential Current Electrotherapy,Therapeutic Electric Stimulation,Therapeutic Electrical Stimulation,Therapy, Electric Stimulation,Electric Stimulation, Therapeutic,Electrical Stimulation, Therapeutic,Electrotherapy, Interferential Current,Stimulation Therapy, Electric,Stimulation Therapy, Electrical,Stimulation, Therapeutic Electric,Stimulation, Therapeutic Electrical,Therapy, Electrical Stimulation
D005931	Glottis	The vocal apparatus of the larynx, situated in the middle section of the larynx. Glottis consists of the VOCAL FOLDS and an opening (rima glottidis) between the folds.	Rima Glottidis,Glottidi, Rima,Glottidis, Rima,Rima Glottidi
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia