What does the term “functional dysphonia” refer to?

Functional dysphonia refers to a voice disorder that occurs when there is no identifiable structural or neurological cause for the voice difficulties experienced by an individual. Instead, it is often associated with excessive muscle tension in the laryngeal muscles, leading to difficulties in voice production. This type of dysphonia can manifest as hoarseness, breathiness, or a strained voice and typically arises due to improper vocal use or strain rather than physical abnormalities in the vocal folds.

Muscle tension can result from a variety of factors, including stress, anxiety, or improper voice technique, and it often leads to the voice becoming less functional for the individual, hence the term "functional." The fact that it arises from muscle tension rather than structural damage highlights its classification within voice disorders as functional, distinguishing it from organic, psychogenic, or neurogenic disorders, which have distinct etiologies. This is why the choice focusing on muscle tension is the most accurate description of functional dysphonia.