false vocal cord
- noun
- /fɔls ˈvoʊkəl kɔrd/
- Specialized
:
pliegue vocal falso
- The false vocal cords protect the airway but do not produce sound.
Examples
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Swelling of the false vocal cord can make it difficult to breathe.
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The false vocal cord protects the airway.
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Doctors examined both the true and false vocal cords during the procedure.
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The false vocal cords play a role in protecting the airway.
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During a laryngoscopy, the doctor pointed out the false vocal cords to help the patient understand their function.
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The false vocal cords serve as a protective barrier for the airway against foreign objects.
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Inflammation of the false vocal cords can lead to breathing difficulties and discomfort.
Synonyms
1
8.9
An upper fold of tissue in the throat that does not make sound
A fold of tissue in the voice box that protects the airway and does not make speech sounds
One of two thin pieces of tissue above the voice box that do not make sound
A thin piece of tissue in the throat above the vocal cords that usually does not make sound
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is fully compositional: 'vocal cord' denotes a voice-producing fold and the adjective 'false' signals that it is not a genuine/functional vocal cord. This maps directly onto the definition ('upper folds... not involved in producing the voice') and follows a transparent modifier + noun pattern that learners can infer from constituent meanings.
Etymology
The noun false vocal cord got its name because these small folds in the throat look like true vocal cords but do not 'make sound'. They sit above the real ones and help protect the airway, so the word 'false' shows they are not the true voice-makers.