           Vocal cords open and closed       Open pop-up dialog box          Close    Vocal cords open and closed   Vocal cords open and closed Vocal cords open when you breathe and then close to produce sound when vibrating together.               Vocal cords open and closed       Open pop-up dialog box           Vocal cords open and closed       Open pop-up dialog box  Open pop-up dialog box       Close    Vocal cords open and closed   Vocal cords open and closed Vocal cords open when you breathe and then close to produce sound when vibrating together.          Close    Vocal cords open and closed   Vocal cords open and closed Vocal cords open when you breathe and then close to produce sound when vibrating together.        Close    Vocal cords open and closed   Vocal cords open and closed Vocal cords open when you breathe and then close to produce sound when vibrating together.     Close    Close  Close Vocal cords open and closed   Vocal cords open and closed Vocal cords open when you breathe and then close to produce sound when vibrating together.  Vocal cords open and closed Vocal cords open when you breathe and then close to produce sound when vibrating together. Vocal cords open when you breathe and then close to produce sound when vibrating together. Your vocal cords are two flexible bands of muscle tissue that sit at the entrance to the windpipe (trachea). When you speak, the bands come together and vibrate to make sound. The rest of the time, the vocal cords are relaxed in an open position so that you can breathe. In most cases of vocal cord paralysis, only one vocal cord is paralyzed. Paralysis of both of your vocal cords is a rare but serious condition. This can cause difficulties with speech and significant problems with breathing and swallowing. Signs and symptoms of vocal cord paralysis may include:  A breathy quality to the voice Hoarseness Noisy breathing Shortness of breath Loss of vocal pitch Choking or coughing while swallowing food, drink or saliva The need to take frequent breaths while speaking Inability to speak loudly Loss of your gag reflex Ineffective coughing Frequent throat clearing 
           vocal cords open closed       open pop-up dialog box          close    vocal cords open closed   vocal cords open closed vocal cords open breathe close produce sound vibrating together                vocal cords open closed       open pop-up dialog box           vocal cords open closed       open pop-up dialog box  open pop-up dialog box       close    vocal cords open closed   vocal cords open closed vocal cords open breathe close produce sound vibrating together           close    vocal cords open closed   vocal cords open closed vocal cords open breathe close produce sound vibrating together         close    vocal cords open closed   vocal cords open closed vocal cords open breathe close produce sound vibrating together      close    close  close vocal cords open closed   vocal cords open closed vocal cords open breathe close produce sound vibrating together   vocal cords open closed vocal cords open breathe close produce sound vibrating together  vocal cords open breathe close produce sound vibrating together  vocal cords flexible bands muscle tissue sit entrance windpipe (trachea)  speak  bands come vibrate sound  rest time  vocal cords relaxed open position can breathe  cases vocal cord paralysis  only vocal cord paralyzed  paralysis vocal cords rare condition  can cause difficulties speech significant problems breathing swallowing  signs symptoms vocal cord paralysis may include:  breathy quality voice hoarseness noisy breathing shortness breath loss vocal pitch choking coughing swallowing food  drink saliva need take frequent breaths speaking inability speak loudly loss gag reflex ineffective coughing frequent throat clearing 
vocal cord paralysis