Which term refers to the opening of the vocal folds?

The correct term for the opening of the vocal folds is "abduct." Abduction refers specifically to the movement of the vocal folds away from each other, creating space in the glottis for airflow during phonation. When the vocal folds abduct, this action allows air from the lungs to pass through, which is essential for producing voice and sounds.

In contrast, adduction refers to the movement of the vocal folds toward each other, which is necessary for producing sound when the folds come together to vibrate. The terms "close" and "open," while they may describe similar actions, are not technically used in the field of speech-language pathology to refer to these specific movements of the vocal folds. "Open" can be more ambiguous and may not convey the precise action taking place during the opening of the vocal folds. Therefore, abduction is the most accurate and appropriate term to describe this specific action.