Glossary of Terms in Otolaryngology

Ford Classification for Sulcus Vocalis

  • Ford et al (1996) developed a more precise classification for sulcus vocalis. He classified sulcus vocalis into 3 groups:12
    • A type I sulcus is a physiologic variant characterized by an intact superficial lamina propria. Patients with a type I sulcus generally have a normal voice.
    • A type II (IIa) sulcus is defined by loss of the superficial lamina propria and adherence to the vocal ligament.
    • A type III (IIb) sulcus is a medial pit shaped sulcus with extension into the vocal ligament and potentially even into the thyroarytenoid muscle.
  • Ford initially described these as Type I/II/III respectively, however different literature will also group this as Type I/IIa/IIb.
    • A type IIa/II sulcus is also called a sulcus vergeture.
    • A type IIb/III sulcus is also (confusingly) called a sulcus vocalis.

Ford Classification of Sulcus Vocalis

  1. Ford, Charles N., et al. “Sulcus vocalis: a rational analytical approach to diagnosis and management.” Annals of otology, rhinology & laryngology 105.3 (1996): 189-200. ↩

  2. Giovanni, Antoine, Cécile Chanteret, and Aude Lagier. “Sulcus vocalis: a review.” European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology 264.4 (2007): 337-344. ↩

Last updated October 27, 2022
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