Which term refers to a permanent opening created in the neck after a laryngectomy?

The term that refers to a permanent opening created in the neck after a laryngectomy is "stoma." After the surgical removal of the larynx, a stoma is formed to allow for breathing through the neck rather than the mouth or nose, providing a new airway. This allows patients to continue respiration post-surgery, which is critical for their well-being.

A stoma is specifically made to serve as an artificial opening that bypasses the upper airway. It plays a crucial role in the management of patients who have undergone laryngectomy, facilitating airflow directly to the trachea and helping to prevent complications that could arise from obstructions usually encountered in a standard respiratory tract.

Understanding the concept of a stoma is important in the context of voice rehabilitation, as individuals with a stoma will often require alternative means of communication and may use devices such as a voice prosthesis to produce sound.