The voice of humans and most non-human mammals is generated in the larynx through self-sustaining oscillation of the vocal folds. Direct visual documentation of vocal fold vibration is challenging, particularly in non-human mammals. As an alternative, excised larynx experiments provide the opportunity to investigate vocal fold vibration under controlled physiological and physical conditions. However, the use of a full larynx merely provides a top view of the vocal folds, excluding crucial portions of the oscillating structures from observation during their interaction with aerodynamic forces. This limitation can be overcome by utilizing a hemi-larynx setup where one half of the larynx is mid-sagittally removed, providing both a superior and a lateral view of the remaining vocal fold during self-sustained oscillation. Here, a step-by-step guide for the anatomical preparation of hemi-laryngeal structures and their mounting on the laboratory bench is given. Exemplary phonation of the hemi-larynx preparation is documented with high-speed video data captured by two synchronized cameras (superior and lateral views), showing three-dimensional vocal fold motion and corresponding time-varying contact area. The documentation of the hemi-larynx setup in this publication will facilitate application and reliable repeatability in experimental research, providing voice scientists with the potential to better understand the biomechanics of voice production.

Laboratory of Bio Acoustics Dept of Cognitive Biology University of Vienna

Laboratory of Bio Acoustics Dept of Cognitive Biology University of Vienna; ENES Lab NEURO PSI CNRS UMR 9197 Université Lyon Saint Etienne France

Voice Research Lab Department of Biophysics Faculty of Science Palacky University Olomouc

Voice Research Lab Department of Biophysics Faculty of Science Palacky University Olomouc; Laboratory of Bio Acoustics Dept of Cognitive Biology University of Vienna;

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Subglottal pressure oscillations in anechoic and resonant conditions and their influence on excised larynx phonations