Abstract
Analysis and evaluation of “Semon's law, ” based on a review of previous studies on the paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, including our recent clinical investigations were made.
The author has come to the following conclusions:
1) According to Semon's conception on the position of the paralyzed vocal cords, the median position is regarded as a partial paralysis of the recurrent nerve, resulting from contraction of the adductor muscles, and the so-called cadaveric position, as total paralysis of the nerve. This interpretation could not be proved either by our studies or by those of other investigators.
On the other hand, the opinion of Wagner and Grossman, maintaining that the median or paramedian position of the paralyzed vocal cords is due to the cricothyroid muscleremaining unimpaired, is inadequste to give a complete understanding on various figures of the paralyzed vocal cords.
Clinical pictures of the paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve are too complicated to be explained from the above mentioned theories. Further studies are considered necessary to arrive at a through understanding concerning these conditions.
2) Our clinical study of the recovery course of a patient with laryngeal paralysis presented evidence supporting Semon's concept on the greator vulnerability of abductor function of the larynx. To obtain a clear picture of the above concept of Semon, it is required to establish a proper understanding on the figure of pure abductor paralysis.
