Quantifying the Effects of Altering Ambient Humidity on Ionic Composition of Vocal Fold Surface Fluid

摘要

ObjectiveVocal fold surface fluid (VFSF) is important in hydration and defense of underlying epithelial cells. The objective of this study was to quantify changes in the ionic composition of VFSF after altering the humidity of inhaled air. We tested the hypothesis that low humidity exposure would increase the concentration of VFSF sodium (Na⁺) and chloride (Cl⁻) ions but that high humidity exposure would decrease the concentration of VFSF Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions as compared to the low humidity challenge.