title: A Fast Semiautomatic Algorithm for Centerline-Based Vocal Tract Segmentation.
abstract: Vocal tract morphology is an important factor in voice production. Its analysis has potential implications for educational matters as well as medical issues like voice therapy. The knowledge of the complex adjustments in the spatial geometry of the vocal tract during phonation is still limited. For a major part, this is due to difficulties in acquiring geometry data of the vocal tract in the process of voice production. In this study, a centerline-based segmentation method using active contours was introduced to extract the geometry data of the vocal tract obtained with MRI during sustained vowel phonation. The applied semiautomatic algorithm was found to be time- and interaction-efficient and allowed performing various three-dimensional measurements on the resulting model. The method is suitable for an improved detailed analysis of the vocal tract morphology during speech or singing which might give some insights into the underlying mechanical processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Anton A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Poznyakovskiy
authors.affiliation: Division of Phoniatrics and Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany ; Voice Research Laboratory, Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber, 01067 Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mainka
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Platzek
authors.affiliation: Division of Phoniatrics and Audiology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany ; Voice Research Laboratory, Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber, 01067 Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mürbe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology