Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026

A Protocol for Comprehensive Assessment of Bulbar Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Published on: February 21, 2011
Aerodynamic assessment of velopharyngeal function during normal speech containing different places of articulation
H Dotevall1, A Lohmander-Agerskov, S A Almquist
1Department of Logopedics and Phoniatrics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. Hans.Dotevall@sahlgrenska.se
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to describe the aerodynamics related to velopharyngeal function during speech in bilabial, dental, and velar articulatory positions in Swedish speakers. Repeated syllables including voiceless stop consonants and sentences including combinations of voiceless stops and nasal consonants were uttered by 11 normal adults. Oropharyngeal pressure was assessed with a miniature pressure transducer positioned transnasally, in combination with measurement of nasal pressure and nasal airflow. The corresponding velopharyngeal opening area was estimated. The results suggest that the velopharyngeal function during stop consonants is similar in different articulatory positions. Differences in oropharyngeal pressure and nasal airflow between bilabial versus dental and velar positions were found, presumably due to differences in volume and compliance of the vocal tract.
Related Concept Videos
Assessment of Respiration
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD,...
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
Larynx
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, corniculates, and...
Deglutition
Swallowing can be divided into three stages: the voluntary phase, the pharyngeal phase, and the esophageal phase. Although the...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract IV: Auscultation
Breath Sounds
Breath sounds are categorized into vesicular, bronchovesicular, and bronchial.
Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.

