Anatomy & Physiology
The velum elevates to close off this cavity during swallowing
What is the nasal cavity
During oral motor exams, this is the first step before assessing structures
What is case history / oral mech introduction / hygiene check / symmetry check?
Symmetry of this structure is observed when the patient smiles or pouts
What are the lips?
Excessive drooling during oral motor tasks can indicate reduced control of these
What are the lips and/or tongue?
This structure is located externally from the oral cavity, and a good seal is required for adequate deglutition and to produce bilabial sounds.
What are the lips?
Asking a patient to puff their cheeks tests the function of this structure.
What are the lips (lip seal)?
Lateral lingual movement is assessed by asking the patient to do this?
What is move the tongue from side to side / lick corners of their mouth?
Fasciculations
Weak tongue strength may affect this phase of swallowing
What is the oral phase?
This tool is often used to depress the tongue to observe oral cavity structures
What is a tongue depressor?
The "ah" task allows visualization of this oral structure's elevation
What is the soft palate / velum?
Reduced velar movement may result in this resonance disorder
What is hypernasality?
Oral motor deficits that interfere with speech sound production are often labeled as this motor disorder
What is dysarthria?
Diadochokinetic tasks assess this aspect of motor control?
What is speech motor coordination / rapid alternating movements?
Labial closure is important for producing these types of speech sounds
What are bilabial sounds?
This motor planning disorder is not due to weakness but difficulty in sequencing movements
What is Apraxia of Speech?
This bony structure separates the oral and nasal cavities are is checked for intactness during oral motor exams
What is the hard palate?
When assessing jaw function, SLPs typically ask the patient to do this motion.
What is open and close the mouth / lateralize the jaw?
An oral motor exam is often paired with this assessment to evaluate swallowing safety
What is a clinical bedside swallowing evaluation?
Oral motor exam findings must always be interpreted with caution, since strength-based tasks may not directly predict this functional skill
What is speech intelligibility?