Simultaneous evaluation of articulatory velopharyngeal function under different dynamic conditions with EMA and...

Objective examination of velopharyngeal (VP) sphincter function has been described based on multiple methods. Videofluoroscopy and videoendoscopy represent today's clinical standard. A new concept of analysis of VP functioning is described using electromagnetic articulography (EMA) for midsagittal measurement of velar movement and videoendoscopy in a setting for simultaneous recording. Multidimensional analysis of VP functions using this setting is demonstrated for a normal subject. Timing aspects of VP closure and a transverse-sagittal ratio of VP port diameter are reported under different conditions of speech dynamics.