Chapter 4.1: Anatomy of Phonation (Background & Intro)

This set of flashcards covers key concepts from Chapter 4.1 on the Anatomy of Phonation, including the mechanics of sound generation, types of vocal attack, and stages of phonation.

What three things are needed to generate sound?

1. A medium, 2. A force, 3. A body that can vibrate.

What medium transmits sound for speech?

Air.

What is the force that sets the vocal folds into vibration?

The subglottal column of air from the lungs.

What are the vibrating bodies in phonation?

The vocal folds.

What is the Bernoulli Effect?

Given constant volume flow, pressure decreases and velocity increases at a point of constriction.

How does the Bernoulli Effect apply to vocal folds?

Adducted folds create constriction, causing low pressure and sucking folds together.

What happens to pressure and velocity at the point of constriction?

Pressure decreases, velocity increases.

What happens when folds are sucked together?

Pressure above them drops; folds blow apart again due to subglottal pressure.

What are the three stages of phonation?

1. Onset, 2. Sustained phonation, 3. Offset.

What happens during the Onset (Attack) stage of phonation?

Folds adduct and begin vibrating; phonation starts.

What are the three types of vocal attack?

1. Simultaneous, 2. Breathy, 3. Glottal.

Describe a Simultaneous Attack.

Breath stream and fold adduction occur at the same time.

Describe a Breathy Attack.

Airflow begins before folds adduct.

Describe a Glottal Attack.

Folds adduct before breath stream starts.

What maintains sustained phonation?

Subglottal pressure, glottal airflow, intraoral pressure, vocal fold elasticity & tension.

How does phonation stop (offset)?

Folds are abducted enough to stop vibration; performed by abductor muscles.