From sagittal distance to area. A study of transverse, vocal tract cross-sectional area

In speech articulation studies, data on the pharynx are scarce. Still, the pharynx is an important part of the vocal tract. The present paper reports on an attempt to use computed tomography for investigating the pharynx. Axial computed tomograms were taken at four levels in the pharynx of a male and a female subject sustaining the vowels [u:, i:, a:, oe:]. From the tomograms the lateral width and the cross-sectional area were measured and their relations to the sagittal distance from the back pharynx wall to the midline of the tongue examined and compared with previously published data. In addition, some previous results derived from plaster casts are presented showing the corresponding distance-to-area relationship in the mouth region of some male and female subjects.