Speech Science quiz 2

What is the primary muscle of respiration? What happens when it contracts and relaxes?

Diaphragm

Contracts out & down (flattens) on inhalation
• Creates vacuum effect pulling air into lungs
• Relaxes in & up
• Pushing air out of lungs

What muscles are involved in inhalation and exhalation during quiet breathing, during
speech breathing?

quiet breathing inhalation :diaphgram and external intercostals exhalation: passive recoil of lungs and rib cage

speech breathing: inhalation diaphragm and external intercostals exhalation :internal intercostals and abdominal muscles

Discuss the role of the diaphragm, external and internal intercostals?
Where are muscles located?

external intercostals :elevate ribs increase width of thoracic cavity outermost layer, located between the ribs with their fibers running downwards and forwards,

internal intercostals by contracting to pull the ribs downward and inward, which decreases the volume of the thoracic cavity push air out of lungs internal intercostal muscles are located deeper, just underneath the external layer, with their fibers running downwards and backwards

Diaphragm :domes descend increase dimension of thoracic cavity elevate lower rib

In speech breathing, where do pauses for inspirations typically occur?

linguistic boundaries (phrases, sentences)

What is the general role of the accessory muscles

assist the diaphragm and intercostal muscles when the body requires more air than usual

Understand the role of the thoracic “cage” and structures in interacting with the
lungs/pleura in inhalation and exhalation

The thoracic cage expands and contracts to alter thoracic volume,, driving air in or out of the lungs

What is Boyle’s law? How does this explain the
processes of inhalation and exhalation? Include lung (or pulmonary pressure) and
atmospheric pressure (air around our bodies)

Volume & Pressure – inversely related

Increasing the volume of an enclosed
space decreases air pressure within it

Inhalation lung volume goes up pulmonary pressure goes down and atmospheric pressure air enters lungs

Exhalation lung volume goes down pulmonary pressure goes up and atmospheric pressure air exits lungs

What is the role of respiration (airflow/airstream) in speech generally

Base of speech subsystem serves as power source to provide necessary air flow

What is the relationship of intensity and airstream/airflow?

The greater the airstream /airflow the higher the intensity of sound produced .

What is phonation/phonatory mode? What is an example of a sound produced during
phonatory mode

Phonation – Source for Voiced Sounds
• Phonatory Mode: Phonation
• Laryngeal function
• Vocal fold vibration
• Overlaid function on essential life functions

For each of the following – provide an example of a speech sound, describe the source(s)
and the filter(s): periodic, aperiodic, simultaneous(both) periodic – aperiodic. Pay
attention to if the sound is voiced/voiceless and if it is produced with
constriction/occlusion or not.

• Periodic sounds-vowels a,e,i,o,u vocal tact voiced neither constriction or occlusion
• Aperiodic-voiceless “sh” point of constriction or occlusion
• Simultaneously Periodic & Aperiodic-z sound voiced but not muscular sound with constriction

What is that relationship to periodicity – source – filter?
When asking what the filter is, another way to ask this is where is the source resonated

filter is part of vocal tract where source is resonated and shaped

What is adduction and abduction? Position of the vocal folds when whispering, quiet
breathing, taking a deep breath

Abduction: Folds separated
for voiceless sounds and
breathing (rest position)
•Adduction: Folds brought
together for phonation
(voiced sounds)

when whispering vocal folds sightly apart and stretched, preventing them from vibrating

Describe the makeup and places of attachments of the true vocal folds.

makeup: epithelium, layers of lamina propria and vocalis muscles

Attachments anteriorly to thyroid cartilage and posteriorly to vocal process of arytenoid cartilage

What is fundamental frequency? What are harmonics? What are the norms for
fundamental frequency? What are the factors that influence higher vs lower frequencies?
What influences perception of pitch

Fundamental frequency (f0):
lowest frequency of a complex
periodic sound
• Also called the first
harmonic (H1)
• f0 represents vibration
along the whole length of
the vibrating body

Larger/longer vocal folds vibrate at lower frequencies
• Tense vocal folds vibrate at higher frequencies
• Less massive (thinner) vocal folds vibrate at higher
frequencies

Know general ranges of expected fundamental frequency for adults/children. What
impacts high vs low frequency

Know general ranges of expected fundamental frequency for adults/children. What
impacts high vs low frequency

What does “Phonation Require

• Adduction of vocal folds
• Elongation of vocal folds
• Airflow

What is the primary theory of vocal fold vibration

Myoelastic Aerodynamic Theory of Vocal
Fold Vibration

Explain the Myoelastic Aerodynamic Theory as it relates to vocal fold vibration

Myo:
• Muscles adduct
• Bring vf into close approximation
• Changes tension and elasticity of folds
• Elastic:
• Stiff vs lax & length of vf
• Change frequency
• Passive recoil toward equilibrium
• Aerodynamic:
• Subglottic air pressure (from lungs) drives vf vibration
• Bernoulli Effect
• Physical:
• Vf are forced into motion in each cycl

Explain the Bernoulli Effect (including the inverse relationship of velocity + air pressure)
and relationship on vocal fold vibration

Vf approximate/close via muscular movement
❑ Air pressure between vf decrease & velocity increases
o Negative pressure - pulls vf together tightly
o Occurs when space between vf is narrow
❑ Air Pressure below vf (subglottic air pressure) builds
below closed vf
o When air pressure is high enough, pressure
bursts open vf
o Muscular resistance to the burst results in
initiation of vf vibration
❑ Displacement/Lateral movement continues until
elasticity takes over and vocal folds return to
equilibrium (closed)

Explain the Cover–Body Theory? How does it relate to perceptual aspects of speech-
voice

Pliable cover: mucous membrane (least
stiff)
• Body: Mostly muscle (more stiff)
• Body & cover have different vibratory
properties
• Vibration of the cover varies from the
body
• Determines acoustic characteristics of
phonation
• Wide range of frequencies,
amplitudes, and vocal qualities
• Based on intrinsic laryngeal muscle
activity

What are the bones and cartilages (discussed in class) of the larynx

• Hyoid bone
• Epiglottis
• Thyroid cartilage
• Cricoid cartilage
• Arytenoid cartilages