This study investigates vocal fold vibration by characterizing glottal geometry and aerodynamic properties at different coronal planes along the posterior to anterior axis in excised canine larynges. Multi-plane, phase locked two-dimensional (2D) particle image velocimetry was used to reconstruct the medial glottal wall geometry and intraglottal flow fields across equidistant coronal planes during phonation. The results reveal significant spatial variation in glottal shape and flow dynamics, with larger glottal openings and divergence angles observed in the mid-coronal and anterior planes compared to the posterior plane. Flow separation vortices (FSV) consistently formed along the medial glottal wall during the closing phase but varied in size and location depending on coronal position. In the mid-coronal and anterior regions, FSV formed closer to the inferior edge and produced stronger flow entrainment, higher circulation, and greater negative gauge pressures, leading to more pronounced flow skewing during closure. In contrast, FSV in the posterior region formed near the superior aspect, exhibited weaker entrainment and circulation, and resulted in less pronounced glottal skewing. These findings highlight fluid structure interactions within the glottis and underscore the importance of considering the posterior to anterior variations to improve our understanding of voice production mechanisms.
Michaud-Dorko et al. (2026) studied this question.