Anatomy of the Articulatory and Resonance Systems

Flashcards of vocabulary terms related to the anatomy of the articulatory and resonance systems.

Articulation

The pronouncing of words, the manner in which they are produced; Occurs within the vocal tract which is made up of the Oral cavity, Nasal cavity, and Pharyngeal cavity (pharynx).

Articulation Defined

The process of joining 2 things together; moving speech structures in speech sound production; Adjustments of the shape of the vocal tract (and thus acoustical properties); A Time-sensitive process

Articulators

The structures that you join or adjust (can be mobile or immobile) which can generate speech sounds

Vocal Tract

Area and structures where articulation occurs which is a 17cm tube with structures including: Cavities above the larynx, Pharynx, Oral cavities, and Nasal cavities (sinus).

Vocal Tract

Variable in shape, shaped like a bent tube, and changes every time you move an articulator. The articulators form valves that act to resist the airflow and this change creates different types of sounds

Vocal Tract: Biological Role

A passageway for 2 systems including Air and Food (which creates saliva)

Vocal Tract: Non-biological Role

Speech, Modifies the resonatory characteristics and generate speech sounds, and is a series of valves to change/constrict the flow of air

Bones of Articulation

Facial, Cranial bones, and Teeth

Resonant Cavities in Articulation

Oral and nasal cavities

Cranial Bones

(1) Frontal, (1) Ethmoid, (1) Sphenoid, (2) Temporal, (2) Parietal, (1) Occipital

Facial Skeleton Bones

Mandible (1), Maxillae (2), Nasal bones (2), Palatine bones (2), Lacrimal bones (2), Zygomatic bones (2), Inferior conchae (2), and Vomer (1)

Mandible

Appears U-shaped, is the largest and strongest facial bone, Speech contribution, and oral prep. It Houses/supports lower teeth and Forms point of attachment for tongue and other musculature. Minimal jaw movement during speech

Maxillae

Upper jaw and Second-largest facial bone, Major speech contribution (Bounds the mouth, Attaches muscles and soft tissues important for speech, Makes up hard palate, nose, upper dental ridge)

Palatine Bones

Contribute to the formation of three cavities- Floor and lateral walls of nasal cavity, Posterior roof of mouth of oral cavity (1/4 of hard palate posteriorly), and Floor of orbital cavity

Zygomatic Bones

Cheekbones and Contributes to the lateral wall and floor of orbital cavity

Vomer Bone

Inferior half of the bony nasal septum (separates nasal cavities into left and right)

Sinuses

Mucous-lined spaces within bone that drain into the nasal cavity - Frontal, Maxillary, Ethmoid, and Sphenoid

Purpose of Sinuses

Provides better balance for skull (lighter in weight), Act as resonating chambers (in addition to oral/nasal cavities), and Expands areas served by nose in warming, moistening, and filtering incoming air

Structures involved in Articulation

Lips, Cheek (Latin: buccae) buccal, Teeth, Tongue, Mandible, Palate, Pharynx, Fauces/Faucial pillars, and Uvula

Lips Function

Produce bilabial (e.g., /b/, /p/), labiodental (e.g., /f/, /v/) sounds as well as contribute to the Oral preparatory and oral phase of swallowing

Cheeks

Assist in various speech sounds and during chewing, swallowing (maintain the pressure within oral cavity)

Dentition

20 Deciduous teeth (baby teeth) and 28-32 Permanent teeth

Types of Teeth

Incisors (central most teeth): biting; Canines (cuspids); Premolars (bicuspids): grinding; Molars: grinding

Tongue Biological Functions

Taste, Mastication (chewing), and Deglutition (swallowing)

Tongue Divisions

Tip: anterior-most; Blade: below alveolar ridge; Dorsum: body along superior surface; Root: anchor to epiglottis and hyoid

Mandible Speech

Jaws never completely close during speech which translates to minimal movement; Only true moveable bone in face. Primary movements are depression and elevation, but also protrusion/retraction/lateralization

Palate: Hard Palate

Formed by palatine processes of the maxillae and palatine bones. Includes the Rugae (anterior), Midline raphe, and Palatal vault (arch)

Velum (soft palate)

Muscles continuous with superior constrictor muscles of the pharynx which Can be elevated, lowered, and tensed. Partially muscle tissue and connective tissue

Tonsils

Lymphatic tissue that fights infection and includes Types of tonsils: Palatine tonsils, Pharyngeal tonsil: Adenoids, Tubal tonsils, Lingual tonsil, and Waldeyer’s ring which may affect nasal resonance and/or move tongue forward

Pharynx

Velopharyngeal mechanism

Velopharyngeal mechanism: VP closure

Crucial for articulation (differentiating oral and nasal sounds) and swallowing which is achieved by elevating, tensing, retracting velum and constriction of nasopharyngeal walls

Nasal Sounds

/m/, /n/, / /, VP port opens (sounds that pass through the nasal cavity)

Oral consonants/sounds

nonnasal sounds: all the other consonants, e.g., stop (/p/, /t/), fricative (/s/, ‘sh’). VP port is closed (sounds that pass through the oral cavity)