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Phonation-induced Upper Esophageal Sphincter Contraction Caused by Different Phonation Types
Katharina Peters1, Simone Miller1, Martin Ptok1
1Department of Phoniatrics and Pediatric Audiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
Summary
Phonation significantly increases upper esophageal sphincter (UES) pressure in healthy individuals. This UES activity during speech likely results from co-innervation with laryngeal muscles, not a reflex.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Speech Science
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- The upper esophageal sphincter (UES) exhibits activity during phonation.
- The mechanism behind this UES activity (reflex vs. co-innervation) is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and characterize phonation-induced UES contraction in healthy individuals.
- To analyze the influence of various phonation tasks on UES pressure parameters.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-five healthy volunteers performed five phonation tasks (modal, whispering, voiceless, creaky, whispery voice).
- High-resolution manometry and electroglottography measured UES pressure and laryngeal-UES activation latencies.
Main Results:
- All phonation types significantly increased maximum UES pressure (72%-132%).
- Modal voice and whispering showed significant mean pressure increases (20%-25%).
- Short latencies (-15 ms to +15 ms) between laryngeal and UES activation were observed.
Conclusions:
- Phonation induces a pressure increase in the UES across different vocalization types.
- Increased UES pressure correlates with laryngeal muscle activity required for phonation.
- Short latencies suggest co-innervation of UES and laryngeal muscles by the vagus nerve is the likely mechanism.
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