A laryngoscopy is a procedure healthcare providers use to examine your larynx (voice box). This is performed with a laryngoscope, a thin tube with a light, lens and a video camera that helps providers look closely at your larynx. Providers may do laryngoscopies in a clinic office or as surgery in an operating room.
Flexible laryngoscopy is viewing of the pharynx and larynx using a flexible laryngoscope (also called a nasopharyngolaryngoscope). Flexible laryngoscopy is generally done to evaluate symptoms of disorders of the pharynx and larynx. (See also Evaluation of the Patient With Nasal and Pharyngeal Symptoms.
Direct rigid laryngoscopy is a procedure to look at the vocal cords or larynx. A laryngoscope is a rigid, hollow tube with a light attached. Using this tool, your healthcare provider can look behind your tongue and down your throat to your vocal cords. A tissue sample (biopsy) can be taken for study in a lab.
Your healthcare provider may recommend a laryngoscopy to diagnose problems like dysphonia (hoarseness) or to diagnose laryngitis. They may also do laryngoscopies to diagnose more serious conditions such as laryngeal cancer.