Articulation Anatomy
The vocal folds generate sound, while the _________ shapes the sounds of speech.
vocal tract
The primary articulator involved in production of most English phonemes is the ______.
tongue
What is the function of the orbicularis oris?
Constricts oral opening
Gustation is our sense of _____, while olfaction is our sense of _____.
smell
A study of the swallow performed by an SLP and radiologist using fluoroscopy (continuous x-ray) is called _________.
modified barium swallow study (MBSS)
What are the three immobile articulators?
Alveolar ridge of the upper jaw (maxillae)
Hard palate
Teeth
The velopharyngeal port is ______ during nasal sounds.
open
The stylopharyngeus is innervated by the ________ nerve.
True aspiration occurs when food/drink/etc passes below the _______.
vocal folds
What type of teeth emerge first around 6 years of age?
Central incisors
Cleft lip occurs at the _______ suture, while a cleft palate involves the ______ suture.
premaxillary
intermaxillary
What is a root reflex?
When an infant turns their head in response to tactile stimulation of the cheek or lips.
Ankyloglossia is a condition that can impact feeding in infants. What structure is involved and how so?
Lingual frenulum is too short (“tongue tie”)
When a bolus contacts the _______, the pharyngeal stage of the swallow is triggered.
faucial pillars
Name the major muscles that elevate the lip.
Levator labii superioris
Zygomatic minor
Levator labii superioris alaque nasi
What is the shape of the nasal conchae and what is the purpose of that shape?
Each is shaped somewhat like seashell or spiral
Shape of conchae provides increased surface area (promotes rapid heat exchange for warming and filtering air)
Fine control of the oral tract proceeds from ____ to ____. Therefore, what are some of the earliest consonants to develop?
front to back
m, b, p
Name the four pharyngeal constrictors and identify which one serves as the upper esophageal sphincter.
Superior pharyngeal constrictor
Middle pharyngeal constrictor
Cricopharyngeus (upper esophageal sphincter)
Thyropharyngeus
Why is your sense of taste reduced when you have a cold or “stuffy nose”?
Most of what we perceive as taste actually comes from olfaction
We inhale airborne molecules that travel to and combine with receptors in nasal cells
The cilia are covered with a thin, clear mucus that dissolves odor molecules not already in vapor form
When the mucus becomes too thick, it can no longer dissolve the molecules
Name one problem with central control theories.
Requires plan for each allophone, and it's unlikely that so many instructions could be coordinated centrally, so quickly
Name the four cavities of the vocal tract and the structures they are bounded by.
Oral cavity: bounded by teeth and alveolar process, hard and soft palates, palatoglossal arch, and muscular floor (mostly tongue)
Buccal cavity: bounded by lips and cheeks externally and gums and teeth internally
Pharyngeal cavity: bounded by nasal cavity and esophagus (nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx)
Nasal cavity: bounded by maxillae, palatines, nasal bone, and nasal conchae; divided by nasal septum
Name the three main tongue muscles involved in the word /rule/ and their functions for each sound.
Genioglossus anterior (retracts tongue)
Tranversus (pulls edges toward midline and narrows tongue)
Superior longitudinal muscle (elevate tongue tip)
Name and describe the three types of malocclusion.
Class I Malocclusion: normal orientation of molars, but abnormal orientation of incisor
Class II Malocclusion (overbite): projection of upper incisors anterior to lower incisors, can be associated with micrognathia (small mandible)
Class III Malocclusion (underbite): prominent mandible, also called prognathia
Describe the four stages of deglutition.
Oral Preparatory Stage: lips are sealed, velum is lowered (so you can breathe while chewing), tongue body raises and bunches, facial muscles contract to keep food on tongue, tongue creates seal at alveolar ridge, moves food to grinding surfaces and mixes with saliva
Oral Transport Stage: tongue drops to floor and pulls posteriorly, tongue blade elevates to hard palate and pushes bolus back to faucial pillars, which stimulates swallow reflex
Pharyngeal Swallow Stage: soft palate elevates (closes nasopharynx), vocal folds close tightly and false vocal folds constrict (ceases respiration), epiglottis closes, larynx moves up and forward, cricopharyngeus relaxes (opens esophagus), bolus propelled down pharynx by pharyngeal constrictors
Esophageal Swallow Stage: peristaltic contraction and gravity move bolus down to stomach; after bolus passes, cricopharyngeus re-contracts, larynx lowers, soft palate lowers, and respiration restarts
Name the three types of dysphagia and for each type, list one potential cause and one symptom.
Oral phase dysphagia
Due to: weak tongue or lip muscles, reduced saliva production, or issues coordinating chewing
Symptoms: difficulty controlling food, drooling, food pocketing in cheeks, and trouble moving bolus (chewed food) toward throat
Pharyngeal phase dysphagia
Due to: weak or poorly coordinated throat muscles, delayed swallow reflex, or incomplete closure of airway
Symptoms: coughing, choking, nasal regurgitation, and sensation of food “sticking” in throat; higher risk of aspiration, potentially leading to pneumonia
Esophageal phase dysphagia
Due to: structural blockages, motility issues, or conditions like gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
Symptoms: difficulty swallowing solids or liquids, regurgitation of food, heartburn, and sensation of food getting “stuck” in chest