Sulcus Vocalis
Sulcus vocalis is a groove along the vibrating edge of the vocal fold. It stiffens the edge and stops the folds closing fully, which leaves the voice weak, breathy and effortful. It is also one of the institute's research areas.
What it is
The vibrating edge of a healthy vocal fold is soft and pliable. In sulcus, a groove runs along this edge, and the tissue beneath it is thin or tethered. Sulcus is often described in types: a shallow physiological groove, a thinned, atrophic band (type II, or sulcus vergeture), and a deeper pocket reaching the vocal ligament (type III).
Symptoms
A weak or breathy voice, reduced loudness, a rough quality, vocal fatigue, and the sense of pushing to be heard. Many patients have had the problem for years before it is named.
How it is diagnosed
Stroboscopy is the key examination: it shows the groove, the stiff segment of the vibrating edge, and the gap left between the folds. The institute has also published work on deep-learning diagnosis of sulcus from videostroboscopy. See Sulcus Vocalis research.
Treatment
Treatment is individual. Voice therapy improves efficiency and reduces strain. Injection can improve closure. In selected cases, surgery addresses the groove itself. Regenerative treatments are being studied, and we are clear that their evidence is still developing. The aim is a more reliable, less effortful voice.
Medically reviewed by
Associate Professor Necati Enver, MD
Laryngologist · Founder and Director, Istanbul Voice Center · Reviewed September 2026
General information only. It does not replace an individual assessment. Medical disclaimer
Frequently asked questions
Is sulcus vocalis something I was born with?
In many patients sulcus appears to be long-standing, and some people have had a weak or breathy voice for as long as they remember. Its exact origin is still debated, and both congenital and acquired explanations are discussed in the literature.
Can sulcus vocalis be cured?
Sulcus is one of the more difficult vocal fold problems to treat, and the aim is usually a meaningful improvement rather than a normal vocal fold. Therapy, injection and, in selected cases, surgery can each help.
Why is sulcus often missed?
The groove can be subtle on a standard examination. Stroboscopy, which shows the vibrating edge in slow motion, makes it much easier to see.
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