The Anatomy of the vocal system is very complicated and essential for an actor or singers career. There are many ways for the vocal system to get damaged:

The vocal cords are easy to get injured.

·         Forceful singing, yelling, screaming, loud talking can cause the vocal cords to hit very hard and result in injury to the cords (these are forms of vocal abuse)

·         Excessive amounts of phonating (singing/talking) can also lead to injury (vocal overuse)

·         Nodules, polyps, laryngitis and hemorrhage of the cords are possible effects of such vocal abuse

·         Smoking also has dramatic effects on the larynx.

The larynx is the formal name for the voice box (also, some call it the “Adam’s Apple”). The larynx contains the vocal cords (also known as vocal folds).

Vocal overuse can have the same effects as vocal abuse by the general “wear and tear” of the vocal cords.Singing for too long can especially occur during long rehearsals like choral festivals. Talking for too long (cell phones!, sleepovers, reunions, etc.); low-pitched talking can be especially detrimental and Habitual throat clearing is not good for you as it will lead to an injury.

You can get Cancer in the throat and it will damage your vocal system. Fortunately, cancer of the larynx is not dependent on vocal overuse or abuse However, smoking presents a very real danger to singers.