Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Author Spotlight: Development of a Novel Finite Element Analysis Model for Improved Orthognathic Surgical Techniques
Published on: October 20, 2023
Relationship between voice function and skeletal effects of rapid maxillary expansion
Objective:
To evaluate the effects of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on the vocal quality, maxillary central incisors, midpalatal suture, and nasal cavity in patients with maxillary crossbite.
Materials And Methods:
Coronal CT scans of 30 subjects (14 boys, 16 girls; mean age, 12.01 ± 0.75) were taken before RME (T0), and at the end of the expansion phase (T1). Voice samples of all patients were recorded with a high-quality condenser microphone (RODE NT2-A) on a desktop computer at T0 and T1. Statistical analyses were performed using a paired-sample t-test. The degree of association between the changes in the voice parameters and nasal width was assessed with Pearson's correlation.
Results:
RME treatment produced a significant increase in the transverse dimensions of the midpalatal suture and nasal cavity between T0 and T1 ( P < .05). The maximum F0 and jitter (%) results were shown to decrease statistically significantly from T0 to T1 ( P < .001 and P = .042, respectively). Between T0 and T1, shimmer (%) and shimmer (dB) exhibited statistically significant increases ( P = .037 and P = .019, respectively).
Conclusions:
After RME therapy, voice quality differences were found to be associated with increases in nasal width.
Related Concept Videos
Larynx
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids,...
Anatomy of Respiratory System I: Upper Respiratory Tract
Nose and nasal cavity
The nose and nasal cavity represent the main external openings of the respiratory tract....
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
Muscles for Facial Expressions
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract IV: Auscultation
Breath Sounds
Breath sounds are categorized into vesicular, bronchovesicular, and bronchial.
Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue

