Laryngeal nerve damage

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Laryngeal nerve damage

Nerves of the larynx

Laryngeal nerve damage is injury to one or both of the nerves that are attached to the voice box.

Vocal cord paralysis

Injury to the laryngeal nerves is uncommon.

However, it may occur from:

• A complication of neck or chest surgery (especially thyroid, lung, or heart surgery)
• A breathing tube in the windpipe (endotracheal tube)
• A viral infection that affects the nerves
• Tumors in the neck or upper chest, such as thyroid or lung cancer

Review Date: 11/27/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; and Seth Schwartz, MD, MPH, Otolaryngologist, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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