6. Laryngeal Adjustments in Speech Articulation in Humans

Abstract

Based on fiberscopic and electromyographic findings, patterns of laryngeal articulatory adjustments in humans are presented and discussed. The principal mechanism of voiced-voiceless distinction appears to depend on the reciprocal adjustment between the abductor and adductor muscle groups of the larynx, which is substantiated during the expiratory phase of respiration. A contribution of the cricothyroid to the prosodic aspect of speech is also described. It is suggested that a close observation of the pattern of laryngeal dynamics in clinical cases with disorders of the central nervous system must be an important approach for elucidating the nature of the laryngeal control in humans.