Article:
Speech is a complex motor skill implemented by a large number of anatomical structures. The structure of the human vocal apparatus includes the organs of the respiratory system, larynx, tongue, teeth, etc. If the integrity of any of them is violated, the sound production process is disrupted. Knowledge of the anatomical structure and operating principle of the articulatory organs is important not only for singers or other professions related to music, but also for ordinary people. Speech disorders can occur in both children and adults, leading to disruption of the processes of social adaptation and learning.
Anatomical structure
To understand the functions of the larynx, it is necessary to clearly understand its anatomical structure.
Cartilage
The components of the organ in question are paired cartilages:
- thyroid,
- ring,
- epiglottis.
Among the unpaired cartilages the following stand out:
- arytenoid,
- cricoid.
The cartilages presented above are interconnected by ligaments and joints, due to which they can move, facilitated by the muscles of the larynx.
The cricoid cartilage looks like a ring, its ring looks forward, the “stone” looks back. Next, the thyroid and arytenoids are attached. The largest is the thyroid. It forms walls. Their parts are plates that stand at an obtuse angle in women, and at an acute angle in men (due to which the “Adam’s apple” protrudes).
The arytenoid cartilages are a pyramid, the base of which is attached to the cricoid cartilage. Two types of processes extend from the arytenoids:
- muscular,
- voice.
The muscular process controls the arytenoid cartilage, causing the vocal process to change position and influence the attached vocal cord.
- What is the human pharynx and oropharynx: structure, functions
All of the listed cartilages are hyaline, that is, they have the following characteristics:
- density,
- glassiness,
- elasticity.
They show a tendency to ossify. Ossification can occur as an age-related change, which affects the timbre of the voice.
Epiglottis
This part is a kind of “lifting shield” above the entrance of the laryngeal opening. From below, the epiglottis adjoins the thyroid cartilage. The main function representing the operation of this part of the system under consideration is to protect the respiratory entrance from foreign particles entering the lungs by closing its entrance.
Vocal cords
The ligaments are the primary mechanics that produce sound, traveling from the vocal processes to the thyroid cartilage. Between their pair there is a gap that allows a stream of air to pass through when a person breathes.
Laryngeal muscles
The muscles of this system are divided into large groups:
- internal, whose role is to guide the vocal cords,
- external, controlling the movements of the pharynx.
Intrinsic muscles exhibit a special distribution pattern:
- sound laryngeal, that is, the main adductors, there are only three of them,
- abductor - one muscle,
- cricothyroid muscle, which controls the tension of the ligaments.
Each type of muscle listed above performs a number of functions:
- the abductor expands the glottis, if it is damaged, this threatens the loss of speech abilities,
- adductors are responsible for narrowing the glottis, paired and unpaired types of muscles work simultaneously,
- The cricothyroid muscle controls the thyroid cartilage upward and forward, exerting proper tension on the ligaments.
The extrinsic muscles of the larynx are classified as:
- sternothyroid,
- thyrohyoid,
- thyroid.
The coordinated work of these muscles makes it possible to carry out movements of the pharynx during swallowing, breathing, and speech production.
- Cricoid unpaired cartilage of the larynx: its structure and functions
The main function of muscles is to change the position of the cartilage of the organ. The muscles of the larynx, according to the nature of their action on the glottis, are divided as follows:
- expanding,
- narrowing,
- changing the tension of the ligaments.
Thanks to the work of the muscles, the entire work of the system in question is carried out. Without them, breathing, respiratory protection, and speech production are impossible.
Laryngeal cavity
The cavity has an hourglass shape. The middle part, which is greatly narrowed, contains folds of the vestibule, or the so-called false vocal folds. The vocal cords are located below. On the sides are the ventricles, which are atavistic in nature. In some animals, such bags are very developed and serve as resonators.
The entire cavity, except for the ligaments, is lined with a mucous membrane consisting of ciliated epithelium, which reacts to the slightest touch thanks to a huge number of glands that cause a cough reflex when the mucosa is irritated by any foreign object. The mucous membrane covers the fibro-elastic membrane.
Production of sounds
The process of sound and voice formation has been well studied over the past decades. The acoustic component of speech arises as a result of the work of the muscles of the peripheral apparatus. It works like this. When starting a conversation, a person unconsciously exhales slowly. The air flow from the lungs enters the larynx, the ligaments of which are in a certain position corresponding to the required sound. In addition, the tongue, lips and lower jaw also take the necessary position. The vibration of the vocal cords in the larynx during the passage of air flow creates a sound that is corrected by the organs of the oral cavity.
Speech is a complex process in which several dozen anatomical structures are involved. Organic or functional disorders in any of them will lead to a change in voice or the appearance of speech defects of varying severity.
Possible diseases
Diseases of the nasal cavity are divided into four categories.
Allergic. Symptoms of such diseases manifest themselves through redness and sore throat, lacrimation, itching, and nasal discharge.
Inflammatory. With such diseases of the nasopharynx, general intoxication of the body is most often observed:
- chills,
- apathy,
- febrility,
- appetite and sleep disturbances.
And with tonsillitis - an increase in the size of the nasopharyngeal tonsils.
Traumatic. This category includes diseases characterized by bleeding, bone crepitus, sharp pain, redness and swelling of the affected area.
Oncological. Symptoms characteristic of this group of diseases include the presence of a malignant neoplasm, difficulty swallowing or breathing, a decrease in body weight by 7–10 kg over a month, general weakness of the body, an increase in the size of lymphatic formations, persistent low-grade fever for more than half a month.
Most of the causes of nasopharyngeal diseases can be corrected with medication or by leading a healthy lifestyle. However, a predisposing factor in the occurrence of oncological and allergic pathologies of this organ is burdened heredity, which in no way can be neutralized.
More dangerous pathologies
Any diseases of the nasopharynx are under the supervision of an otolaryngologist. The most common and dangerous pathologies are:
- Sore throat and complications caused by it (inflammation of the tonsils).
- Abscess is a purulent inflammation of the tonsils (a complication of tonsillitis).
- Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx.
- Adenoid vegetation - an increase in the size of the nasopharyngeal tonsils. With this pathology, breathing through the nose is completely impaired.
- Laryngitis is an acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx.
You can protect yourself from diseases of this organ by taking the following preventive measures:
- Rational and proper nutrition.
- Consumption of mineral and vitamin complexes.
- A healthy lifestyle is partly sports and physical exercise.
- Daily ventilation of living spaces.
Speech apparatus and defects
The degree of development of the speech apparatus determines the quality of pronunciation of sounds. Diseases of any of the departments are manifested by a deterioration in sound pronunciation and change the characteristics of a person’s voice. The task of speech therapists and doctors when identifying phoniatric symptoms is to identify the causes of their occurrence and select methods to eliminate the defects.
Due to the complexity of the structure of the speech apparatus, there are many possible causes of impaired sound pronunciation. Diagnostic measures should always be comprehensive and selected individually for each person. There are several reasons for the development of speech defects, which occur most often:
- organic disturbances in the structure of individual structures;
- their functional immaturity, which causes incorrect movements during the conversation;
- neurological disorders in those parts of the central and peripheral nervous system that are involved in the formation and formation of sounds.
With these defects, a person often notices problems with breathing, swallowing food and liquids. Such symptoms gradually lead to a decrease in the level of quality of life and can cause impaired adaptation in society, depression and other negative consequences. If you have delayed speech development or other defects, you should always seek professional help from doctors or a speech therapist. Specialists will conduct the necessary examinations and select corrective measures to eliminate the organic or functional defect.
The human vocal apparatus has a complex structure and consists of three main parts: respiratory, vocal and articulatory, or sound-pronouncing. All structural departments act in concert, determining not only a person’s voice, but also the formation and pronunciation of all sounds and words. The regulation of the speech process is carried out by the central nervous system, namely the cerebral cortex, subcortical extrapyramidal systems and the nuclei of the cranial nerves. Knowledge of anatomy allows you to promptly identify changes in the speech organs, primarily located in the oral cavity.
Anatomy of speech
The vocal apparatus is a set of anatomical structures that provide the formation of voice and speech. In its structure, it is customary to distinguish two large sections: peripheral and central. The central section is represented by the brain, in particular, the cerebral cortex, a number of subcortical nodes and pathways connecting them together. In addition, it includes the nuclei of the cranial nerves, which are involved in sound production. The anatomy of the peripheral vocal apparatus includes bone, cartilage and muscle formations, ligamentous apparatus and peripheral nerves that perceive or transmit any information to the organs of articulation.
The peripheral department is divided into three functional departments that perform different tasks: respiratory, vocal and articulatory. If any of them malfunctions, speech disorders occur.
Respiratory section
The main sound-producing factor is air passing through the respiratory tract. In this regard, vocalists always practice proper breathing to improve the acoustics of their voice. Breathing movements are carried out reflexively; as a rule, in ordinary life a person does not think about when to inhale or exhale. The regulatory mechanism is associated with the respiratory center in the medulla oblongata.
The respiratory section includes both lungs, the tracheobronchial tree, the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles. The movements of the latter lead to expansion of the chest during inhalation and its narrowing during exhalation. The diaphragm is involved in the abdominal type of breathing, which is carried out mainly due to its stretching.
The formation of sounds and words occurs during exhalation. The air passing through the vocal and articulatory departments causes their structures to vibrate. If a person has lung diseases, the sound of speech is distorted.
Voice department
In phoniatry, there are three characteristics of any person’s voice: timbre, pitch and strength. All of them are created when the vocal cords vibrate as air passes through them. The amplitude of the vibration determines the strength of the voice. The stronger the vibration, the higher the sound. Timbre is determined by voice coloring, specific to each individual person. The tension of the folds and the degree of air pressure on them create a certain pitch of the voice.
One of the most common complaints from patients is changes in voice characteristics. Most often, this condition is associated with functional disorders that occur against the background of infectious and non-infectious diseases.
Sound department
The structure of the articulatory part of the vocal apparatus includes anatomical formations that are located in the oral cavity: the lower jaw, tongue, soft palate and lips. Movements of these structures are carried out with the help of muscles. If their work is disrupted, a person may develop various speech defects. Speech therapy exercises and massage allow you to train muscles, improving speech.
The tongue is the main articulatory organ. Its basis is striated muscles, which provide movement and change in shape. During a conversation, it can become longer, shorter, and also change its width. The structure of the tongue is divided into three parts: the root, fixed to the floor of the oral cavity, the back and the tip.
The lower and upper lips are movable structures. They participate in the pronunciation of almost all sounds, as they determine the speed of air flow from the oral cavity. Thanks to facial muscles, they can change their shape, which also plays an important role in the physiology of speech in humans. The mandible is located at the bottom of the skull and has a limited range of motion. Participates in the pronunciation of stressed vowels: “O”, “U”, “I” and a number of others.
The soft palate forms the upper border of the oral cavity and is tightly connected to the hard palate. Thanks to developed muscle fibers, it can rise and fall down. Anatomically separates the oral cavity from the nasal pharynx. It has a small tongue at the end. When pronouncing the consonants “N” and “M”, the velum is lowered. All other sounds are pronounced with the soft palate lowered. When movement is impaired, the voice becomes nasal, which is associated with the direction of air flow into the nasal cavity.
If a speech defect appears, you should not try to eliminate it yourself. Such treatment should be carried out by a speech therapist or doctor.
The articulatory apparatus also includes a number of passive structures: dentition, nasal cavity, hard palate and pharynx. They participate in sound pronunciation, acting as support points for the tongue and soft palate.
