Which technique uses a small mirror to view the vocal folds?

The technique that uses a small mirror to view the vocal folds is the laryngeal mirror. This method involves the use of a mirror that is positioned at the back of the throat to reflect light and allow visualization of the vocal folds during phonation. The laryngeal mirror is a simple tool that has been used for many years in clinical settings to examine the function and health of the larynx.

In practice, the laryngeal mirror is inserted into the oral cavity, and the clinician can see the vocal folds as the patient produces sound. This technique is advantageous because it requires minimal equipment and can provide immediate visualization of vocal fold motion.

While electroglottoscopy is a technique that measures the electrical impedance of the vocal folds, and stroboscopy utilizes intermittent light to visualize vocal fold vibration in slow motion, neither employs a small mirror for direct observation like the laryngeal mirror does. Cinematography, on the other hand, involves recording motion through film or digital media, which generally does not facilitate direct viewing of the vocal folds during the exam process.