Speech-Language Pathology Anatomy and Physiology Comprehensive Review

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering neuroanatomy, laryngeal and pharyngeal musculature, respiratory volumes, vocal fold histology, and lesion locations for speech-language pathology review.

Broca's Aphasia

A non-fluent language disorder caused by a lesion located in the posterior frontal lobe of the left hemisphere.

Wernicke's Aphasia

A fluent language disorder caused by a lesion situated in the posterior temporal lobe of the left hemisphere.

Global Aphasia

A severe language impairment involving extensive damage across the perisylvian region.

Conduction Aphasia

An aphasia subtype characterized by impaired repetition, typically caused by a lesion in the arcuate fasciculus.

Apraxia of Speech

A motor speech planning and programming disorder caused by damage to left hemisphere motor planning areas, including Broca's area.

Flaccid Dysarthria

A motor speech disorder resulting from damage to lower motor neurons (cranial or spinal nerves), causing weakness, hypotonia, and reduced reflexes.

Spastic Dysarthria

A motor speech disorder resulting from bilateral upper motor neuron damage, characterized by strained-strangled voice quality, hypertonia, and hyperreflexia.

Ataxic Dysarthria

A motor speech disorder caused by damage to the cerebellum and cerebellar control circuits, presenting with discoordination and irregular articulatory breakdowns.

Hypokinetic Dysarthria

A motor speech disorder linked to basal ganglia pathology and dopamine depletion (e.g., Parkinson's disease), characterized by rigidity and reduced range of movement.

Hyperkinetic Dysarthria

A motor speech disorder associated with basal ganglia pathology and excess dopamine (e.g., Huntington's disease), characterized by involuntary, extraneous movements.

UUMN Dysarthria

A motor speech disorder resulting from unilateral upper motor neuron damage, often manifesting with mild articulation weakness on the opposite side.

Vocal Fold Paralysis

Impaired vocal cord mobility caused by a lesion to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (a branch of the vagus nerve, CN X).

Spasmodic Dysphonia

A focal laryngeal dystonia attributed to neurological dysfunction in the basal ganglia or related motor control circuits.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Hearing impairment localized to pathology in the outer or middle ear (e.g., atresia, otitis media).

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Hearing impairment caused by damage to the cochlea (hair cells) or the auditory nerve (cranial nerve VIII).

Mixed Hearing Loss

Hearing loss caused by a combination of outer/middle ear conductive dysfunction and inner ear (cochlea/auditory nerve) sensorineural pathology.

Sternohyoid

An infrahyoid muscle innervated by the anterior rami of spinal nerves C1-C3 (via the ansa cervicalis) that depresses the hyoid bone from an elevated position after swallowing.

Omohyoid

An infrahyoid muscle innervated by the anterior rami of C1-C3 (via the ansa cervicalis) that depresses and retracts the hyoid bone and larynx and tenses the carotid sheath.

Sternothyroid

An infrahyoid muscle innervated by the anterior rami of C1-C3 (via the ansa cervicalis) that acts to depress the thyroid cartilage and larynx.

Thyrohyoid

An infrahyoid muscle innervated by the anterior ramus of C1 via the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) that depresses the hyoid bone and elevates the larynx.

Stylohyoid

A suprahyoid muscle innervated by the stylohyoid branch of the facial nerve (CN VII) that elevates and retracts the hyoid bone posteriorly.

Digastric

A suprahyoid muscle whose anterior belly is innervated by the mylohyoid nerve (CN V3) and posterior belly by the facial nerve (CN VII); it elevates the hyoid bone and depresses the mandible to open the mouth.

Mylohyoid

A suprahyoid muscle innervated by the nerve to mylohyoid (CN V3) that forms the floor of the oral cavity, elevates the hyoid bone and oral floor, and depresses the mandible.

Geniohyoid

A suprahyoid muscle innervated by the anterior ramus of C1 via the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) that pulls the hyoid bone forward and upward, shortening the oral floor and widening the pharynx.

Lateral Cricoarytenoid

An intrinsic laryngeal adductor innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve (CN X) that adducts and shortens the vocal folds, increasing medial compression.

Transverse Arytenoid

An intrinsic laryngeal adductor innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve (CN X) that adducts the arytenoid cartilages and acts as a sphincter on the laryngeal inlet.

Posterior Cricoarytenoid

The sole intrinsic laryngeal abductor muscle; innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve (CN X), it abducts and lengthens the vocal folds to open the glottis for respiration.

Oblique Arytenoid

An intrinsic laryngeal sphincter muscle innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve (CN X) that pulls the apex of the arytenoids medially and narrows the laryngeal inlet during swallowing.

Aryepiglottic Muscle

An intrinsic laryngeal sphincter muscle innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve (CN X) that approximates the aryepiglottic folds to close the laryngeal inlet.

Cricothyroid

An intrinsic laryngeal tensor muscle innervated by the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (CN X) that tilts the thyroid cartilage anteroinferiorly to lengthen and tense the vocal folds for high pitch phonation.

Thyroarytenoid

An intrinsic laryngeal relaxer muscle innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve (CN X) that draws the arytenoid cartilages anteriorly to shorten and relax the vocal folds, lowering pitch.

Vocalis

The vibrating medial core of the thyroarytenoid muscle innervated by the recurrent laryngeal nerve (and external laryngeal nerve) that tenses the anterior part and relaxes the posterior part of the vocal ligament to fine-tune vocal pitch and volume.

Genioglossus

A triangular extrinsic tongue muscle originating from the mental spine, innervated by CN XII, that protrudes and depresses the tongue.

Hyoglossus

A thin extrinsic tongue muscle originating from the hyoid bone, innervated by CN XII, that depresses the tongue.

Styloglossus

An extrinsic tongue muscle originating from the styloid process, innervated by CN XII, that draws the tongue upwards and backwards.

Palatoglossus

An extrinsic tongue and palatal muscle innervated by the vagus nerve (CN X) via the pharyngeal plexus that elevates the root of the tongue and closes off the oropharynx.

Superior Longitudinal Muscle

An intrinsic tongue muscle innervated by CN XII that turns the tip upward, renders the dorsal surface concave, and shortens the tongue.

Inferior Longitudinal Muscle

An intrinsic tongue muscle innervated by CN XII that turns the tongue tip downward, makes the dorsal surface convex, and shortens the tongue.

Vertical Muscle

An intrinsic tongue muscle innervated by CN XII that flattens and widens the tongue.

Transverse Muscle

An intrinsic tongue muscle innervated by CN XII that narrows and elongates the tongue.

Tidal Volume (TV)

The amount of air inhaled and exhaled with each normal breath.

Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV)

The amount of air that can be inhaled in addition to the tidal volume.

Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV)

The amount of air that can be exhaled in addition to the tidal volume.

Vital Capacity (VC)

The maximum amount of air that can be exhaled following a maximal inhalation.

Total Lung Capacity (TLC)

The total volume of air that the lungs can hold.

Residual Capacity (RC)

The volume of air that remains in the lungs after a normal exhalation.

Anterior Cerebral Artery (ACA)

A cerebral blood vessel supplying the inner frontal lobes and upper inner parietal lobes; damage causes contralateral leg weakness, sensory loss, and executive deficits with preserved speech.

Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA)

A cerebral blood vessel supplying the lateral surfaces of the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes; damage causes aphasia and contralateral weakness of the face and arm.

Posterior Cerebral Artery (PCA)

A cerebral blood vessel supplying the occipital lobe and lower temporal lobes; damage produces visual field defects (hemianopsia) without primary speech impairment.

Precentral Gyrus

The primary motor cortex of the frontal lobe that controls voluntary movements, serving an essential role in speech motor production.

Postcentral Gyrus

The primary somatosensory cortex of the parietal lobe that processes sensory feedback necessary for speech and swallowing.

Superior Temporal Gyrus

A cortical structure of the temporal lobe that processes auditory input and supports language comprehension (housing Wernicke's area).

Middle Temporal Gyrus

A temporal lobe structure involved in semantic memory and retrieving the meaning of words and sentences.

Inferior Temporal Gyrus

A temporal lobe structure dedicated to visual object recognition, useful in interpreting visual communicative cues.

Cingulate Gyrus

A limbic system structure responsible for emotional processing, learning, and memory, playing an important role in social communication.

Supramarginal Gyrus

A parietal lobe gyrus involved in phonological processing and part of Wernicke's area, key in phonological disorders and spoken language comprehension.

Angular Gyrus

A parietal lobe region that processes language, numbers, and spatial cognition, vital for reading, writing, and interpreting numerical concepts.

Parahippocampal Gyrus

A cortical region involved in memory encoding and retrieval, supporting lexical memory and vocabulary recall.

Thyroid Cartilage

The largest laryngeal cartilage; it forms the anterior and lateral walls of the larynx and protects the vocal folds.

Cricoid Cartilage

A complete ring-shaped cartilage located directly beneath the thyroid cartilage, providing structural support to the airway and connecting the larynx to the trachea.

Arytenoid Cartilages

Paired pyramid-shaped cartilages located on the posterosuperior border of the cricoid that anchor the vocal folds and pivot to adjust vocal fold tension, abduction, and adduction.

Corniculate Cartilages

Paired cartilages situated on the apices of the arytenoids that assist in the opening and closing of the glottis.

Cuneiform Cartilages

Paired cartilages embedded within the aryepiglottic folds that maintain stiffness and structural support for the laryngeal entrance.

Epiglottis

A leaf-like fibrocartilage located above the glottis, innervated by the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, that covers the laryngeal inlet during swallowing to prevent aspiration.

Pyriform Sinus

Side pockets or recesses in the hypopharynx flanking the larynx where food or liquid can accumulate, posing an aspiration hazard.

Glottis

The variable opening and space situated directly between the true vocal folds where sound is produced.

Laryngeal Vestibule

The entryway into the larynx located superior to the vocal folds, functioning to protect the lower airway from ingested material.

Laryngeal Ventricle

The anatomical space situated between the true vocal fold and false vocal fold, containing mucous glands for vocal fold lubrication.

Ventricular Folds

The false vocal folds situated above the true vocal folds that provide airway protection and contribute to resonance, but do not vibrate for speech.

Valleculae

Bilateral mucosal pouches between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis where food can temporarily reside before the swallow.

Supraglottic Space

The anatomical area of the larynx situated directly above the vocal folds, housing structures that protect the airway from aspiration.

Subglottic Space

The anatomical region of the larynx located below the level of the true vocal folds that directs airflow into the trachea.

Tracheal Ring

Cartilaginous rings situated inferior to the cricoid cartilage that provide rigidity to prevent airway collapse.

Salpingopharyngeus

A pharyngeal muscle innervated by CN X and CN XI that elevates the lateral pharyngeal wall and moves it medially during swallowing.

Stylopharyngeus

A pharyngeal muscle innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) that elevates and dilates the pharynx during swallowing.

Superior Pharyngeal Constrictor

A constrictor muscle innervated by CN X and CN XI that narrows the diameter of the pharynx and pulls the posterior pharyngeal wall forward.

Middle Pharyngeal Constrictor

A circular pharyngeal muscle innervated by CN X and CN XI that narrows the diameter of the middle portion of the pharynx.

Cricopharyngeus

The inferior portion of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor, innervated by CN X and CN XI, which acts as the upper esophageal sphincter to close the top of the esophagus.

Thyropharyngeus

The superior component of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor, innervated by CN X and CN XI, that contracts to reduce the diameter of the lower pharynx.

Frontalis

A facial muscle innervated by the facial nerve (CN VII) that raises the eyebrows and wrinkles the skin of the forehead.

Orbicularis Oculi

A circular facial muscle surrounding the eyes, innervated by CN VII, that closes the eyelids; weakness creates a risk of corneal drying or injury.

Corrugator Supercilii

A facial muscle situated at the medial end of the eyebrows, innervated by CN VII, that pulls the brows downward and medially to frown or furrow the brow.

Nasalis

A facial muscle on the nose innervated by CN VII that enables flaring and compression of the nostrils.

Procerus

A facial muscle between the eyebrows innervated by CN VII that creates transverse wrinkles across the bridge of the nose.

Orbicularis Oris

The oral sphincter muscle innervated by CN VII that closes, compresses, seals, and puckers the lips for speech and feeding.

Zygomaticus Major

A facial muscle innervated by CN VII extending from the cheek to the corner of the mouth that retracts and elevates the oral angle to produce a smile.

Zygomaticus Minor

A facial muscle located superior to the zygomaticus major, innervated by CN VII, that elevates the upper lip and assists in lip protrusion.

Levator Labii Superioris

A facial muscle innervated by CN VII that elevates the upper lip.

Levator Anguli Oris

A facial muscle innervated by CN VII that draws the corners of the mouth upward and medially.

Risorius

A superficial facial muscle innervated by CN VII that retracts the corners of the lips laterally into a grimace.

Buccinator

A deep cheek muscle innervated by CN VII that compresses the cheeks against the molar teeth during mastication to prevent food pocketing.

Depressor Anguli Oris

A triangular facial muscle innervated by CN VII located below the oral corners that depresses the angles of the mouth.

Depressor Labii Inferioris

A facial muscle innervated by CN VII that pulls the lower lip downward and outward.

Mentalis

A chin muscle innervated by CN VII that wrinkles and elevates the skin of the chin while pushing the lower lip outward.

Platysma

A broad, superficial sheet-like muscle covering the neck and lower face innervated by CN VII that depresses the mandible and tenses the skin of the neck.

Spinothalamic Tract

An ascending sensory pathway that conveys pain and temperature sensations; damage results in contralateral sensory loss of these modalities.

Dorsal Column-Medial Lemniscus

An ascending sensory pathway carrying fine touch, vibration, and conscious proprioception; damage causes contralateral loss of discriminative touch.

Spinocerebellar Tract

An ascending sensory pathway carrying unconscious proprioception to the cerebellum; damage produces ipsilateral ataxia and loss of coordination.

Corticospinal Tract

A major descending pyramidal motor pathway controlling voluntary movement of the trunk and extremities; damage causes contralateral weakness or paralysis.

Corticobulbar Tract

A descending pyramidal motor tract transmitting impulses from the cortex to cranial nerve motor nuclei in the brainstem to control voluntary head and face movements.