Chapter 10
The Anatomical and Physiological Bases of Speech, Language, and Hearing
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Although resonation is important for shaping all speech sounds, it is particularly important for
__________________________________________.
a. Fricatives
b. Affricates
c. Nasals
d. Vowels
e. C and D
2. Collectively, the bones that play an important role in hearing are called ________________________________.
a. Ossicles
b. Cochlear bones
c. Pinnae
d. Tympanicles
e. Hyoids
3. The peripheral nervous system includes the ________________________ and ________________________.
a. Cranial nerves and spinal nerves
b. Spinal cord and vertebral column
c. Brain and spinal cord
d. Cerebrum and cerebellum
e. Pyramidal system and extrapyramidal system
4. The ________________________ is an articulator that moves relatively fast, whereas the
________________________ is an articulator that moves very slowly.
a. Tongue, lip
b. Alveolar ridge, velum
c. Jaw, teeth
d. Hard palate, tongue
e. Tongue, soft palate
5. The vibrations that are created for phonation create a disturbance in the particles of air we refer to as the
__________________________________________.
a. Phonatory noise
b. Laryngeal tone
c. Resonating movement
d. Laryngeal resonation
e. Tonal noise
6. Of the following neurological structures, the __________________________________________ has the most
significant responsibilities for speech and language activities in most people.
a. Sacral nerves
b. Right hemisphere
c. Occipital lobe
d. Spinal column
e. Left hemisphere
7. The __________________________________________ is the largest of the laryngeal cartilages and is often
referred to as the Adam’s apple.
a. Hyoid
b. Arytenoid
c. Cricoid
d. Thyroid
e. Epiglottis
8. __________________________________________ is primarily concerned with the comprehension and
formulation of language.
a. Arcuate fasciculus
b. Wernicke’s area
c. Motor cortex
d. Broca’s area
e. Cerebellum
9. In __________________________________________, language information is organized into the appropriate
articulatory motor sequences for speech.
a. Arcuate fasciculus
b. Wernicke’s area
c. Motor cortex
d. Broca’s area
e. Cerebellum
10. Which of the following statements about cranial nerves are true? Circle all that apply
a. There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves
b. All of the nerves carry motor information only
c. Only 2 of the cranial nerves are concerned with motor speech
d. Some of these nerves carry only sensory information, some only motor, and others are mixed and carry both
sensory and motor information
e. They are a part of the central nervous system
11. The inner ear is full of __________________________________________, which play(s) a significant role in
triggering neural impulses.
a. Tiny bones
b. Dense fluid
c. Air particles
d. Nerves
e. A and D
12. The __________________________________________ carries hearing messages from the ear to the brain.
a. Spinal nerves
b. Extrapyramidal system
c. External auditory meatus
d. Ossicles
e. Auditory nerve
13. The resonators include the __________________________________________.
a. Pharyngeal cavity
b. Oral cavity
c. Nasal cavity
d. B and C
e. A, B, and C
14. The primary muscle involved in breathing is/are the __________________________________________.
a. Lungs
b. Diaphragm
c. Abdominal viscera
d. Thorax
e. Abdomen
15. During voicing, the adult female’s phonatory system vibrates _______________ times per second.
a. 200–260
b. 150–152
c. 120–145
d. 80-100
e. 60-150
Short Answer & Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
Please do not use abbreviations to answer the following questions.
1. The __________________________________________ vibrate(s) to create speech sounds.
2. The __________________________________________ separates the external auditory meatus and the ossicles.
3. What is the biological function of the larynx?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
4. List all sounds that are the product of nasal resonance. ______________________________________________
5. What four processes are involved in speech?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Essay Questions
1. Trace the journey of a sound wave from the pinna to the brain, being sure to describe the energy transfers
responsible for hearing sounds.
2. Select one physiological process involved in hearing or speech and describe the process. Then describe how
impairment in this process might occur, and what impact this impairment would have on communication.
3. Discuss at least 4 key structures in either nervous system that are responsible for some part of communication.
4. Name 3 anatomical structures used in the speech production process and describe their primary biological
functions. Are these structures also well suited for speech production, and why or why not?
The Anatomical and Physiological Bases of Speech, Language, and Hearing
TEST BANK ANSWERS