About Vocal Cord Paralysis

Vocal Cord Paralysis (VCP) is impaired movement of the vocal cords caused by an injury to the vagus or recurrent laryngeal nerves that are critical to normal speech production.

There are generally two types of VCP:

  • Vocal Cord Paralysis: A complete loss of nerve input to the vocal folds. The vocal cord is not moving at all.
  • Vocal Fold Paresis:  A partial loss of input to the nerve of the vocal fold. The vocal fold is moving but with reduced function.