Speech and Hearing Science: Anatomy and Physiology

Articulatory characterisation of Singapore Mandarin tones using ultrasound

“…The larynx is a musculocartilaginous structure located in the anterior neck region atop the trachea. Situated between the third and sixth cervical vertebrae, the larynx has been described as being "suspended" from the hyoid bone and may be placed higher in women and children (Zemlin, 1968). It remains approximately the same size for both genders until puberty: post-puberty, sexual dimorphism is evident with the male larynx measuring significantly larger than the female larynx (Kahane, 1978).…”

“…The superior thyroid horns of the thyroid cartilage are connected to the hyoid bone above, while the inferior horns are attached to the ring-shaped cricoid cartilage below (Kovač et al, 2010). The cricoid cartilage attaches to the trachea by means of fibrous ligaments and pair of arytenoid cartilages are located posteriorly on the sloping border of the cricoid (Zemlin, 1968).…”

“…The complex system of muscles in the larynx can generally be categorised as intrinsic or extrinsic. Extrinsic muscles are connected to structures outside the larynx with at least one attachment, while intrinsic muscles are confined to the larynx and interconnect the laryngeal cartilages (Zemlin, 1968). Zemlin (1968) proposed that the extrinsic muscles principally support the larynx and fixes it in position, while the intrinsic muscles work to produce sound.…”

“…Extrinsic muscles are connected to structures outside the larynx with at least one attachment, while intrinsic muscles are confined to the larynx and interconnect the laryngeal cartilages (Zemlin, 1968). Zemlin (1968) proposed that the extrinsic muscles principally support the larynx and fixes it in position, while the intrinsic muscles work to produce sound. Intrinsic muscles of the larynx can be classified according to their effects on the vocal folds: they are the abductors (the posterior cricoarytenoid), which keeps the arytenoids and vocal folds separate; the adductors (the thyroarytenoid, the lateral cricoarytenoid, and the transverse arytenoid) which draws the arytenoids and vocal folds together; the tensors (cricothyroid) that function to elongate and tension the vocal folds; and the relaxers that work to shorten the vocal folds (Duflo & Thibeault, 2007).…”

“…The infrahyoid muscles, also known as the strap muscles, consist of the following paired muscles: the sternohyoid, sternothyroid, omohyoid, and thyrohyoid muscles. The primary function of the strap muscles is to work in coordination to facilitate the downward movement of the thyroid cartilage (Zemlin, 1968). The sternothyroid is situated in the anterior neck and lies beneath the sternohyoid and omohyoid muscles.…”