Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism

Major Biological Systems Respiratory System Laryngeal System Supralaryngeal System

Respiratory System Involves Lungs Trachea Rib cage Thorax Abdomen Diaphragm Other major muscle groups

The chest Contains the thoraxic cavity

Thoraxic cavity Abdominal cavity inhalation exhalation sternum

Lungs

Laryngeal System Also known as the voice box Composed mainly of muscle and cartilages Attaches below to the trachea Attaches above to the hyoid bone Vocal folds or cords are in the larynx

Larynx epiglottis traqea

Vocal Cords In front attached to the thyroid cartilage In back attached to the arytenoid cartilage Each cord attached to its own arytenoid cartilage Each arytenoid cartilage attached to cricoid cartilage Glottis – space between cords Subglottal pressure – air from below the larynx

Phonation Subglottal air pressure pulls vocal cords apart Elasticity of vocal cords brings them back together Fold vibration is created Air flow through glottis causes air pressure drop and folds are sucked back together again – Bernoulli effect

Phonation Abduction – cords are apart Adduction - adduction

Supralaryngeal System Vocal Tract Pharynx or throat Oral cavity Nasal cavity Articulators

The Larynx Composed by Laryngopharynx – where larynx and pharynx meet Oropharynx – next to the posterior portion of the oral cavity Nasopharynx – next to the nasal cavity

Larynx

Nasal Cavity Begins with the nostrils or nares Continues to the nasopharynx

Oral Cavity Also known as mouth Begins with lips and continues to the oropharynx Contains the major articulators, responsible for the production of speech sounds

Articulation The term articulation means to “join together” Airstream from the lungs (and accompanying acoustic vibrations) are directed to oral and nasal cavity which are modified by speech organs to produce sounds. The modification may include collision of bursts of air in vocal tract or constriction of speech organs.

The Lips Maxilla – supports upper lips Mandible – supports lower lips Lower lip more mobile

The Lips

Sounds associated with lips Labial – which are they???? Bilabial – which are they???? Movements Retracted Rounded

The Lips

The teeth Sounds associated with lips Labiodental – which are they??? Dental or interdental – which are they????

The Alveolar Ridge Also known as the gum ridge of the maxilla Sounds associated with the alveolar ridge Alveolar – which are they?

The Palate Also known as hard palate or roof of the mouth Separates Nasal cavity from oral cavity Sounds associated with palate are Palatal – which are they???

The Palate

The Velum Also known as soft palate Contains the uvula Velopharyngeal closure – prevents air from entering the nasal cavity Raised closed velum – oral sounds Lowered velum, closed mouth – nasal sounds Sounds associated with velum Velar – which are they?

The Velum

The Glottis Sound associated with the glottis – which is it?

The Tongue The major articulator of the production of sounds Parts of the tongue Tip Blade Front Back Root

The Tongue Sounds associated with the tongue Lingual – which are they????

The vocal tract and Resonance Resonance – the unique quality due to the unique vocal tract shape and accompanying vibratory pattern