Anatomy

What Happens Physically When We Speak?

Speech is a biological function
- hundreds of muscles
- millions of nerves
- anatomy & physiology
- automatic for most - why
  - muscle memory, lots of practice, repetition, etc.
Anatomical Systems To Coordinate
- Respiratory: breathing
- Laryngeal: phonation
- Articulatory: articulators
Respiratory System
- includes:
  - larynx
  - trachea
  - main/secondary brochi
  - lungs

Contraction Of Expiration
- abdominal & oblique muscles are responsible for expiration
Breathing (Two Types)
- Tidal Breathing
  - breathing to stay alive/at rest
  - passive expiration
  - rate determined by the body’s oxygen needs
- Speech Breathing
  - rapid contraction of the diaphragm for strong inspiration
  - slow, controlled (active) expiration
Laryngeal System Includes
Vocal Fold Physiology
- adduction - closed
  - lateral cricoarytenoid, transverse arytenoid, & thyroarytenoid muscles
- abduction - open
  - posterior cricoartyenoid
- shortening - pitch reduction
  - thyroarytenoid muscle
- lengthening - pitch increase
  - cricothyroid