title: Speech function of the oropharyngeal isthmus: A modeling study.
abstract: A finite element method (FEM) based numerical model of upper airway structures (jaw, tongue, maxilla, soft palate) was implemented to observe interactions between the soft palate and tongue, and in particular to distinguish the contributions of individual muscles in producing speech-relevant constrictions of the oropharyngeal isthmus (OPI), or "uvular" region of the oral tract. Simulations revealed a sphincter-like general operation for the OPI, particularly with regard to the function of the palatoglossus muscle. Further, as has been observed with the lips, the OPI can be controlled by multiple distinct muscular mechanisms, each reliably producing a different sized opening and robust to activation noise, suggestive of a modular view of speech motor control. As off-midline structures of the OPI are difficult to observe during speech production, biomechanical simulation offers a promising approach to studying these structures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Linguistics, University of British Columbia ; Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT.
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gick
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Linguistics, University of British Columbia.
authors.forename: Chenhao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University.
authors.forename: Ho Beom
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science, University of Saskatchewan.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stavness
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia.
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tsou
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia.
authors.forename: Sidney
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fels