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Chapter 3
Anatomy & Physiology of Phonation
Phonation Class Activity 1
Lecture Discussion Questions
1. What is the term for the space between the vocal folds?
2. What happens when a constriction is placed in a flow?
3. What are the cartilages of the larynx?
4. How do you pronounce “larynx”?
5. How big is the larynx, anyway?
6. What cartilage articulates with the cricoid cartilage?
Phonation Class Activity 2
Phonation Terminology Round-Robin Quiz
Give class a copy of Chapter 3 Terminology Worksheet to prepare for the next session. (Tell
them that there will be an in-class quiz.)
In the following session, use a randomized list to create two teams (or divide the class by rows),
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Phonation Class Activity 3
Bernoulli Effect Demonstrations
The Bernoulli effect is fun to demonstrate, but requires a few props. Here are some ways to do that:
1. If you are using an overhead projector, place a small pile of tiny pieces of styrofoam on the
surface so that everyone can see the pile projected on the screen. Using a piece of tubing
2. Cut two small pieces of paper (1/2 inch by 2 inches will work) and tape them together at one
end so that there is an opening that lets you blow along the length of the strips. Pull the
3. Cut a balloon so that you have only the opening nub and an inch or so of rubber. Blow
4. One of my favorite demonstrations is a Kim Wilcox special (credit where credit is due).
When you’re talking about the vocal folds, compare them to your lips, and then pull your
5. My friends who have lived near the ocean provided this illustration of the Bernoulli effect in
sailing. If you are sailing near an inlet to a bay or cove during a change in tide, your speed
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6. For people who have lived in large cities with significant numbers of high-rise buildings,
remind them of the effects of the wind around those buildings. Extremely high-velocity
7. Those in mountainous regions might enjoy discussing another interesting phenomenon that is
particularly apparent in windy mountainous areas. On days when there is a strong wind and
partially cloudy sky, note that you can often see a small cloud forming on the downwind side
of a mountain peak.
Phonation Class Activity 4
Palpation
Have each student identify his or her larynx as follows. It helps to have a model larynx or picture
up on the overhead projector.
Find the thyroid notch and push your finger back at that point. Your fingernail is on the hyoid
bone. Help students to realize that the only hard (firm) tissue above the fingernail at that point is
the hyoid bone (there is nothing else around there to feel!). It’s uncomfortable, but worth doing.
Then find the notch again and move the finger down until you feel the cricoid cartilage. Have
students do a dry swallow while feeling the larynx or cricoid, and feel it move. Have them sing,
varying pitch up or down, and feel the cricoid move relative to the thyroid cartilage, as well as
the movement of the whole larynx.
Phonation Class Activity 5
Landmark Identification Round-Robin Quiz
You can use the images in Chapter 3 Round-Robin section to quiz students on the names of
muscles.
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Phonation Class Activity 6
Phonatory Pathology
The larynx provides an outstanding opportunity to reinforce the importance of knowing anatomy
as one enters clinical practice. I like to emphasize the reason that we SLPs always refer a voice
client to a physician by reviewing some of the pathologies that can occur (or mimic) vocal
pathologies. Here’s a list of some of them, although you will invariably add your own favorites!
1. Aortic aneurysm: Can cause signs of vocal-fold paralysis or weakness as a result of
2. Myasthenia gravis: This autoimmune disease produces lower motor neuron dysarthria, which
is often first suspected by the SLP. The client approaches the SLP with complaint of weak
3. Neoplastic conditions: The vocal mechanism seems to be particularly susceptible to
numerous neoplastic pathologies, and a number of excellent Web sites have great endoscopic
4. Dysphagia and the larynx: If you have access to any modified barium swallow (MBS)
studies, you can show these videos and try to identify the structures of the larynx. If you have
obtain copyright permission before digitizing any of these materials. Kay is very amenable to
this, as is Passy-Muir, discussed below.)
Kay Elemetrics also has a great video on fiberendoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES),
which uses nasoendoscopy to view the vocal mechanism. The company that manufactures the