Voice Production

Cycle 4 Communication Application Common Assessment

Diaphragm

Muscle that controls breathing.

Trachea

Windpipe through which air enters the lungs.

Bronchial

Main division of the windpipe.

Larynx

Voice box.

Pharynx

Space in the back of the mouth where the nostrils, esophagus, and trachea open.

Palate

Roof of the mouth separating the mouth from the nasal cavity.

Thoracic

Cavity containing the heart and lungs (chest).

Resonance

When exhaled air hits the vocal cords, causing vibration and amplification of sound.

Sinus cavity

Contributes to a high-pitched voice.

Nasal cavity

Contributes to a Chicago/Phil accent.

Oral cavity

Contributes to a New York accent.

Pharyngeal cavity

Contributes to a back-of-throat sound (ahh!).

Sound

Vibrations in the air produced when air hits the vocal cords during exhalation.

Pitch

Thinness/thickness of vocal cords, determining high or low pitch.

Articulators

Lips, tongue, teeth, jaw, hard palate, and soft palate, which turn amplified sounds into words.