Oropharyngeal Geometry and the Singing Voice: Immediate Effect of Two Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract Exercises
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 13, 2025
Hemi-laryngeal Setup for Studying Vocal Fold Vibration in Three Dimensions
Published on: November 25, 2017
Kelly Greyce Sukar Cavalcanti de Oliveira1, Zulina Souza de Lira1, Hilton Justino da Silva1
1Graduate Program in Human Communication Health at the Federal University of Pernambuco. Health Sciences Center. Speech-Languague Pathology and Audiology Departament, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to verify the immediate effect of a flexible resonance tube in water and of lip trill on oropharyngeal geometry and vocal acoustic parameters of singers without vocal symptoms.
Methods:
Twenty-two adult singers participated in the study. They had an average age of 27 (±4.8) years. Participants were split into two groups: a group composed of 12 singers who performed the flexible resonance tube (FRT) exercise and a group of 10 singers who performed the Lip Trill technique (LTT). Acoustic pharyngometry and acoustic analysis of the voice were used to assess oropharyngeal geometry before and after the exercises.
Results:
After performing the techniques, the vocal tract length was longer in the group that performed the FRT, compared to the one that performed the LTT. In the acoustic evaluation, there was an improvement in the glottal to noise excitation ratio and a decrease in noise in the group of singers who performed the LTT. In the analysis by sex men had a longer oral cavity compared to women and after application of the techniques greater volume of the vocal tract.
Conclusion:
There was variation in the oropharyngeal geometry with the FRT, while the LTT had a positive effect on the vocal acoustic parameters related to glottal noise.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Larynx
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,...
01:25Suctioning the Oropharyngeal Airway
After assembling the equipment, the nurse should practice hand hygiene and don appropriate PPE according to infection control guidelines to avoid the...
01:29Anatomy 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....
01:22Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management
01:29Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
Equipment Required
01:20Pharynx
Nasopharynx
The nasopharynx, bordered by the conchae of the nasal cavity, serves exclusively as an air conduit. In its superior region, the pharyngeal tonsils or adenoids are located. These tonsils are clusters of lymphoid reticular tissue akin to a lymph node. The precise...