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Anatomy and Physiology of Voice Production: Highlights
Understanding Voice Disorders
Knowing how normal voice is produced and the roles the voice box and
its parts play in speaking and singing helps patients understand their
voice disorders.
Voice "As We Know It"
The "spoken word" results from three components of voice production: voiced sound, resonance, and articulation.
- Voiced sound: The basic sound produced by vocal fold
vibration is called "voiced sound." This is frequently described as a
"buzzy" sound. Voiced sound for singing differs significantly from
voiced sound for speech.
- Resonance: Voice sound is amplified and modified by the
vocal tract resonators (the throat, mouth cavity, and nasal passages).
The resonators produce a person's recognizable voice.
- Articulation: The vocal tract articulators (the tongue, soft
palate, and lips) modify the voiced sound. The articulators produce
recognizable words.
Voice Mechanism
Speaking and singing involve a voice mechanism that is composed of
three subsystems. Each subsystem is composed of different parts of the
body and has specific roles in voice production.
Three Voice Subsystems
| Subsystem |
Voice Organs |
Role in Sound Production |
Air pressure system |
Diaphragm, chest muscles, ribs, abdominal muscles
Lungs |
Provides and regulates air pressure to cause vocal folds to vibrate |
Vibratory system |
Voice box (larynx)
Vocal folds |
Vocal folds vibrate, changing air pressure to sound waves producing "voiced sound," frequently described as a "buzzy sound"
Varies pitch of sound |
Resonating system |
Vocal tract: throat (pharynx), oral cavity, nasal passages |
Changes the "buzzy sound" into a person's recognizable voice |
Key Function of the Voice Box
The key function of the voice box is to open and close the glottis (the space between the two vocal folds).
- Role in breathing: Open glottis
- Role in cough reflex: Close, then open glottis
- Role in swallowing: Close glottis
- Role in voice: Close glottis and adjust vocal fold tension (plus additional functions for singing)
Key Components of the Voice Box
Cartilages
- Muscles
- Nerves
- Vocal folds
Abnormalities or Changes in the Vibratory System Result in Voice Disorders
Breakdowns can occur in any one or all three subsystems of voice
production. This patient education series focuses on voice disorders,
specifically breakdowns in the vibratory system.
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Related Graphics
Key Glossary Terms
