title: Vocal Tract Morphology in Inhaling Singing: An MRI-Based Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Inhaling singing is a recently developed singing technique explored by the soprano singer Françoise Vanhecke. It is based on an inspiratory airflow instead of an expiratory airflow. This article describes the anatomical structural differences of the vocal tract between inhaling and exhaling singing. We hypothesize that the vocal tract alters significantly in inhaling singing, especially concerning the configuration of the anatomical structures in the oral cavity and the subglottal region.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A professional singer (F.V.) performed sustained tones from F5 chromatically rising up to Bb5 on the vowel /a/. Vocal tract anatomy is assessed by magnetic resonance imaging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Wilcoxon directional testing demonstrates (1) that the vocal tract volume above the glottal region does not differ statistically in contrast to the subglottal region and (2) significant changes in the configuration of the tongue, the upright position of the epiglottis, the length of the floor of mouth, and the distance between the teeth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The narrowing of the subglottis is considered to be secondary to suction forces used in the inhaling singing technique. The changes in the anatomical structures above the vocal folds possibly suggest a valve-like function controlling the air inlet together with the regulator function of the resonator capacities of the vocal tract.
authors.affiliation: Department for ENT/Phoniatrics and Head and Neck Surgery & Department of Radiology, AZ Maria Middelares, Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: mmoerman@skynet.be.
authors.forename: Mieke
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moerman
authors.affiliation: School of Arts, University College, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vanhecke
authors.affiliation: Department for ENT/Phoniatrics and Head and Neck Surgery & Department of Radiology, AZ Maria Middelares, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Lieven
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Van Assche
authors.affiliation: Department for ENT/Phoniatrics and Head and Neck Surgery & Department of Radiology, AZ Maria Middelares, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vercruysse
authors.affiliation: Department for ENT/Phoniatrics and Head and Neck Surgery & Department of Radiology, AZ Maria Middelares, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Daemers
authors.affiliation: IPEM-Department of Musicology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leman
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D045853:Exhalation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009790:Occupations; D010699:Phonation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D063346:Singing; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014059:Tongue / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D014732:Vibration; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D014831:Voice
keywords: Imaging; Ingressive phonation; Inhaling singing; Resonance; Reverse phonation; Vocal fold oscillation; Vocal tract morphology