Reflex activation of laryngeal muscles by sudden induced subglottal pressure changes

In measuring the effect of subglottal pressure changes on fundamental frequency (Fo) of phonation, the effects of changing laryngeal muscle activity must be eliminated. Several investigators have used a strategy in which pulsatile increases of subglottal pressure are induced by pushing on the chest or abdomen of a phonating subject. Fundamental frequency is then correlated with subglottal pressure changes during an interval before laryngeal response is assumed to occur. The present study was undertaken to repeat such an experiment while monitoring electromyographic (EMG) activity of some laryngeal muscles, to discover empirically the latency of the laryngeal response. The results showed a consistent response to each push, with a latency of about 30 ms. Despite this response, analyses of fundamental frequency versus subglottal pressure changes during the interval of constant EMG activity were in general agreement with previously published values. With respect to the nature of the electromyographic response itself, its timing was found to be within the range of latencies appropriate for peripheral feedback, and was also similar to that for an acoustically--or tactually--elicited startle reflex.