Anatomy for Speech Production - Vocabulary Flashcards (Video Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to neural control, respiration, phonation, articulation, and related structures from the lecture notes.

Corpus callosum

A bundle of nerve fibers that connects the two cerebral hemispheres, enabling interhemispheric communication.

Cortex

The outer layer of neural tissue covering the cerebral hemispheres; divided into four lobes.

Dendrites

Branch-like structures of neurons that receive signals from other neurons.

Epiglottis

A flap of cartilage that covers the airway during swallowing.

False vocal folds

Also called vestibular folds; protect the airway and are not the primary source of phonation.

Frequency

The rate of vibration; in speech, relates to the perceived pitch.

Glial cells

Support cells for neurons; provide nourishment, insulation, and maintenance of the neural environment.

Glottis

The opening between the true vocal folds through which sound passes.

Grey matter

Brain tissue composed mainly of neuron cell bodies involved in processing.

Hard palate

The bony roof of the mouth.

Interneurons

Neurons that filter and fine-tune signals between sensory and motor pathways.

Lamina propria

A connective tissue layer within the vocal folds.

Larynx

The voice box; protects the airway and houses the true vocal folds; phonation is an overlayed function.

Lobes

Four major brain regions: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital.

Abduction

Movement away from the midline; vocal folds separate during breathing.

Action potential

An electrical impulse that travels along a neuron to transmit information.

Adduction

Movement toward the midline; vocal folds come together for phonation.

Alveoli

Air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.

Axons

Long projections of neurons that carry impulses away from the cell body.

Basal ganglia

Subcortical nuclei that coordinate smooth, graceful motor movements.

Bernoulli effect

Pressure differences that contribute to vocal fold vibration during phonation.

Brain stem

Lower part of the brain that regulates autonomic, involuntary functions.

Broca’s area

Frontal brain region involved in speech production.

Central nervous system

The brain and spinal cord.

Cerebellum

Part of the brain that coordinates movement and communicates with the thalamus and CNS.

Lower respiratory system

Structures below the larynx involved in breathing.

Mandible

The lower jaw bone.

Motor neurons

Nerve cells that carry signals from the CNS to muscles.

Myelin

Fatty sheath that surrounds axons to speed signal transmission.

Neurons

Nerve cells that transmit information.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers released at synapses to transmit signals between neurons.

Peripheral nervous system

Nerves outside the CNS, including cranial and spinal nerves.

Phonation

Production of vocal sound through vibrating vocal folds.

Pitch

Perceived highness or lowness of a sound, related to fundamental frequency.

Primary motor cortex

Frontal lobe region that initiates voluntary movement.

Sensory neurons

Nerve cells that carry sensory information to the CNS.

Soft palate

Muscle tissue that separates the nasal and oral cavities; part of the velopharyngeal port.

Synapse

junction between neurons where neurotransmitters are released.

Thalamus

Relay center in the brain that processes and transmits motor and sensory information to the cortex.

Tongue

Muscular organ essential for articulation and shaping sounds.

True vocal folds

Vocal cords that vibrate to produce phonation.

Upper jaw

Maxilla; forms the upper jaw and contributes to the hard palate.

Velopharyngeal port

Opening between the velum and the pharynx that controls nasal resonance.

Wernicke’s area

Brain region involved in language comprehension.

White matter

Brain tissue composed mainly of myelinated axons that connect brain regions.

Olfactory nerve (I)

Cranial nerve; sensory; responsible for the sense of smell.

Optic nerve (II)

Cranial nerve; sensory; responsible for vision.

Oculomotor nerve (III)

Cranial nerve; motor; controls most eye movements (medial).

Trochlear nerve (IV)

Cranial nerve; motor; controls eye movement (eye movement).

Trigeminal nerve (V)

Cranial nerve; mixed; motor: muscles for chewing; sensory: face and anterior tongue.

Abducens nerve (VI)

Cranial nerve; motor; abducts the eye (lateral movement).

Facial nerve (VII)

Cranial nerve; mixed; motor: muscles of the face; sensory: taste from the anterior tongue.

Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII)

Cranial nerve; mixed; sensory: hearing and balance; motor: damping of hair cells in the cochlea.

Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)

Cranial nerve; mixed; motor: elevates the pharynx; sensory: touch and taste posterior tongue.

Vagus nerve (X)

Cranial nerve; mixed; motor: larynx, pharynx, velum; sensory: larynx, pharynx, velum.

Spinal accessory nerve (XI)

Cranial nerve; motor; moves the head and lifts the shoulders.

Hypoglossal nerve (XII)

Cranial nerve; motor; tongue movement.

Diaphragm

Primary muscle of inspiration; separates the thorax from the abdomen.

External intercostals

Muscles that increase thoracic volume during inspiration.

Internal intercostals

Muscles that compress the rib cage and lungs during expiration.

Abdominal muscles

Muscles not primarily involved in inspiration; contribute to expiration.

Larynx (revisited)

Voice box; protects the airway; houses the true vocal folds; phonation is overlayed.

Vestibular folds

Another term for false vocal folds; protect the airway.

Three airway-protecting structures

Epiglottis, vestibular folds, and true vocal folds safeguard the airway.

Mandible (revisited)

Lower jaw; influences articulation by moving the lower boundary of the oral cavity.

Tongue (revisited)

Primary articulator involved in shaping sounds using intrinsic muscles.

Velum

Soft palate; separates nasal from oral cavity and pharynx.

Lips and face

Mobile articulators that contribute to speech sounds.

Maxilla

Upper jaw; forms part of the hard palate.

Teeth

Biological structures used for chewing and aiding articulation.

Hard palate

Bony front part of the roof of the mouth; part of immobile articulators.