Phonatory System: Speech Physiology (EXAM 2)

Question 1

Speech functions of larynx

Answer 1

Vibration primer
Glottal configuration
Glottal cycle
Phonation threshold pressure (PTP)
Pitch and Fundamental frequency
Pitch control
Loudness

Question 2

Vibration Primer

Answer 2

Phonation primer
Vibrations generated by air pressure build up = phonation

HOW?: Aerodynamical event to acoustic event

VF obstruct exhalation air stream
Builds up PTP
Sets VF into motion if reach PTP
Results in rapid changes in air pressure
Results in acoustic event

Question 3

Glottal Configuration

Answer 3

Space between VF varies according to the activity

Types:
Large glottis
Medium glottis
Small glottis
Small at back glottis
No glottis

Question 4

Quiet Breathing

Answer 4

Medium glottis for both inhalation and exhalation (no speech)
Minimal muscle activity of posterior cricoarytenoid (abductor)

Question 5

Forced Inhalation

Answer 5

Large glottis for both inhalation and exhalation
Great posterior cricoarytenoid (abductor) action

Question 6

Voiceless sounds

Answer 6

Medium glottis
VF abducted for brief, unobstructed airflow
Airflow altered in oral cavity results in voiceless sounds

Question 7

Voiced sounds

Answer 7

No-to-minimal glottis
VF adducted for voiced sound
Obstructs airflow momentarily in running speech, leading to more vibration of VF
Results in voiced sounds

Question 8

Whisper

Answer 8

Narrow/small glottis with opening at back
Partly adducted VF with airflow resistance resulting in turbulence but no phonation
Just audible hissing sound
Muscles: lateral cricoarytenoids ONLY

Question 9

Breath holding

Answer 9

No glottis
VF fully adducted
all 3 adductor muscles
results in complete trapping of inhaled air in lower respiratory tract

Question 10

Glottal cycle

Answer 10

2 stages:
Prephonation
Phonation

Question 11

Prephonation

Answer 11

As exhalation phase about to begin, VF adducted by adductor trio and glottis is closed/almost closed

Question 12

Phonation

Answer 12

4 phases:
1. Closed
2. Opening
3. Closing
4. Closed

Question 13

1. Closed phase

Answer 13

VF adducted and glottis closed (prephonation)

Exhaled airflow is blocked, more alveolar/tracheal pressure build up

(1)

Question 14

2. Opening phase

Answer 14

Alveolar pressure reaches PTP
Forces VF apart whilst adducted
Glottis opens from BOTTOM to TOP
Exhaled airflow resumes into oral cavity

(2-5) (4)

Question 15

3. Closing phase

Answer 15

Air flow continues
Alveolar pressure decreases as air leaves trachea
Allows VF to rebound (elasticity)
Glottis narrows
Closes from BOTTOM to TOP

(6-9) (9)

Question 16

4. Closed phase

Answer 16

Glottis closes and cycle repeats
1 complete glottal cycle describes 1 VF vibration

10

Question 17

Medial compression

Answer 17

Muscular force with which VF adducted or pressed together at midline by adductor muscles

Question 18

What does glottal cycle achieve?

Answer 18

Changes the constant pressure of free airflow into alternating air pressure with obstructed air flow

Sound compression and rarefaction (Compression when open, rarefaction when closed)

Creates acoustic event of sound

Question 19

Phonation threshold pressure

Answer 19

Minimal alveolar pressure needed to start glottal cycle, Minimum Pressure required: 3cmH20

Dependent on how LOUD you speak
3cmH20: Soft
7cmH20: Conversational
11cmH20: LOUD

Not very difficult to achieve, imagine blowing bubble in water at 3cm mark

Question 20

What is vocal pitch?

Answer 20

Perceptual event related to glottal vibrations/second (GCPS)
More gcps= higher pitch
Less gcps= lower pitch

Question 21

What is fundamental frequency?

Answer 21

Average number of glottal cycles per second for male/female

Adult male: 125-120 Hz
Adult female: 225 Hz

Question 22

How does Fundamental frequency change over lifespan?

Answer 22

Females:
7: 281Hz
20-29: 224Hz
80-94: 200Hz

Males:
7: 294Hz
20-29: 120Hz
80-89: 146Hz

Question 23

1st ten years of life for fundamental frequency

Answer 23

Relatively high for both M/F
Any drops related to change in VF length and thickness with little difference between male and female

Question 24

Puberty and fundamental frequency

Answer 24

Males: Dramatic drop due to VF being longer and THICKER

Females: Drops somewhat for same reason

Question 25

After age 60 and fundamental frequnecy

Answer 25

Male: Increases due to VF thinning Female: decreases due to VF thickening

Question 26

What causes lower pitch?

Answer 26

Longer (naturally) VF and thicker VF (But mostly thicker)

Question 27

Why do adult males have longer/thicker VF?

Answer 27

Longer: Thyroid prominence more apparent, greater angle, longer VF (natural, not stretched) Thicker: Hormone

Question 28

Pitch control

Answer 28

Changes glottal cycle duration (period) Leads to changes of number of gcps (frequency) changes pitch

Question 29

Compliance

Answer 29

Willingness to yield to aerodynamic forces Elastic properties of VF affects response More elastic= more resistant= less compliant Less elastic=less resistant= more compliant

Question 30

How do you change duration of glottal cycle?

Answer 30

Change length of VF Change tension of VF Raise/lower larynx

Question 31

Change VF Length: Lengthening VF

Answer 31

Appearance: Long, thin, stiff Muscle: Cricothyroid contracts Increase VF length Increase VF tension Decrease VF Compliance Less duration of gcps more gcps Higher pitch

Question 32

Change VF Length: Shortening VF

Answer 32

Appearance: short, thick, lax Muscle: Cricothyroid relax, tense thyroarytenoid (slightly) Decreases VF length Decrease VF tension Increase VF compliance Increase duration of gcps Decrease gcps lower pitch

Question 33

Change VF Tension

Answer 33

1. Change VF length 2. Tensor Muscles (Thyroarytenoids) Extra High Pitch: After lengthening VF Tense thyroarytenoids Less compliant Less duration more gcps higher pitch Extra low pitch: After shortening VF Relax thyroarytenoids More compliant more duration less gcps lower pitch

Question 34

Analogy: Big belly and tight six pack

Answer 34

Short, thick, lax: Big belly More compliant less duration (in closed phase longer) less gcps Long, thin, stiff: tight six pack Less compliant more duration (hardly in closed phase) more gcps

Question 35

Change height of larynx

Answer 35

Using extrinsic muscles to change filter characteristics Longer vocal tract: lower pitch resonant Shorter vocal tract: higher pitch resonant Suprahyoid: raise/higher pitch Infrahyoid: lower/lower pitch

Question 36

Loudness

Answer 36

Perceptual event related to vocal intensity Amplitude of sound: dBSPL Corresponds to alveolar pressure

Question 37

How to change loudness?

Answer 37

Changing aerodynamic forces -change volume of air -change air pressure Changing muscular forces -change medial compression without medial compression, cannot accomplish true alveolar pressure build up

Question 38

Changing medial compression

Answer 38

Adductors If more medial compression: firm glottal closure, more resistant to airflow, more ptp If less medial compression: relaxed glottal closure, less resistant to airflow, less ptp

Question 39

Increasing loudness

Answer 39

Change aerodynamic forces -increase volume -increase pressure Change muscular forces -increase medial compression, firm glottal closure, more force needed to separate folds, can hold in more pressure As a result: exhaled air velocity faster, results in VF closing with greater force Concerns: Vocal nodules, temporary damage to VF Hoarseness

Question 40

Decreasing loudness

Answer 40

Change aerodynamic forces: -decrease volume -decrease pressure Change muscular forces -less medial compression, relaxed glottal closure, less alveolar pressure, less force needed to separate folds As a result: exhaled airstream velocity decreases, glottis doesn't slam, soft/convo levels of loudness for long periods of time less harm drink water

Question 41

Whispering

Answer 41

Change aerodynamic forces -maintain steady airflow change muscular forces -adjust VF to whisper triangle with lateral cricoarytenoids ONLY leads to: turbulent and audible hissing sound