Here we detail an original study examining the social perception of laryngeal contour, specifically as it relates to chondrolaryngoplasty and providing gender-affirming care to transgender patients. Over 1,000 study participants were divided into five cohorts, ranking their perceptions of images of graded laryngeal prominence sizes associated with perceived gender expression. This study provides new insights into maximizing ideal social perception of laryngeal contour as it relates to gender perception, while also balancing the essential consideration of preserving necessary thyroid cartilage to maintain laryngeal function.
Objective(s)
To quantify the effect of laryngeal prominence size on socially perceived attributes relating to gender expression. Chondrolaryngoplasty ("tracheal shave") is a common procedure performed for transgender women to feminize neck appearance. The extent of thyroid cartilage resection needed to convey socially-perceived feminine gender expression without destabilizing the voice is incompletely understood.
Methods
Cross-sectional evaluation of a randomized allocation of images of varying laryngeal prominence to a non-repeated, random sample from November 2021 to December 2021. Photos of laryngeal prominence were isolated against a constant neck baseline with lateral, oblique, and frontal views. The images were embedded into a web-based survey with visual analog scales to capture perceived scaled gender expression (masculinity, femininity) and social traits (e.g., attractiveness, friendliness, leadership). We performed bivariate and multivariate analyses relating the laryngeal prominence to perceived gender expression and social traits.
Results
The analytic sample included 1,026 respondents. Laryngeal grades similar to the demonstrated "grade M" in this study and smaller demonstrated similar perceptions of increased femininity and decreased masculinity. Grades larger than M demonstrate significantly increased perceived masculinity and significantly decreased perceived femininity. The lateral and oblique views of the neck appear to be the most gender-informative.
Conclusion
This crowd-sourced analysis of external laryngeal anatomy by a large population of observers provides clear, reproducible insights into social perceptions of gender identity and specifically femininity. These data will meaningfully inform patient counseling and surgical planning for gender-affirming interventions by establishing normative data representing the general public's perceptions.
Level of Evidence
N/A Laryngoscope, 2022
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