Articulation 6 — resonating chambers (cavities)
The respiratory system is built up from cavities or chamberlike organs as can be seen in
Figure 1.
Figure 1 The respiratory system (Source: Miller [et al.] 2002)
The chest
The chest is not a resonator. Although strong vibratory sensations may be experienced in the
upper chest, it can make no significant contribution to the resonance system of the voice. The
chest is below the vocal folds and there is nothing that could serve to reflect sound waves
back toward the larynx. Moreover, the capacity of the chest and the lobes of the lung gets into
tubes (bronchi) which become narrower so there is no space which could resonate effectively.
The trachea
It can be found just below the larynx, and has a definite tube shape and comparatively hard
surfaces. The resonance of the trachea is the same for all pitches except for its own resonant
frequency. When this resonant frequency is reached, the response of the subglottal tube is to
act as an acoustic impedance.
Let’s see the oral tract between the trachea and the orifice encircled by the two lips.
Nasal cavity
Oral cavity
Figure 2 Chambers of the oral tract
(Based on Benda 2013)
The larynx
This boxlike organ is the active source of resonance. It includes the vocal cords, which can
vibrate. (Voiced sounds are articulated.) If they do not vibrate, within the vocal tract it is not
an occlusion which could cause a noise. (Voiceless consonants are pronounced. There are two
exceptions, namely the sound /h/ and the glottal stop /ʔ/. They are articulated in the larynx.)
The pharynx
It is a rather passive tube while speech sounds either in English or in Hungarian are
articulated. Nevertheless, its volume is pretty large in comparison to other cavities in the head
as can be seen in Figure 2. Thus it has a vital part of producing resonance and/or pitch.
The oral cavity
It is a chamber which takes extremely active part in articulating speech sounds.
The nasal cavity
This living cave is involved in very different functions:
1 As regards respiration, it cleans and heats the inhaled air.
2 As regards perception, it is the organ of olfaction i.e. the sense of smell.
3 As regards pronunciation, if the air is diverted by the uvula into the nasal cavity,
nasal consonants or nasalised vowels are articulated.
Depending in the position of the uvula, the nasal and oral cavity may resonate individually
or in combination. The features a sound may have are: oral, nasal and nasalised. (Nasal
sounds are produced by lowering the velum and allowing air to pass through the nasal
passages.)
Figure 3 Oral articulation (Based on ‘Sound production’)
Figure 4 Nasal articulation (Based on ‘Sound production’)
Nasalised
articulation
Figure 5 The directions of airstream during the articulation of nasalised vowels
(Source: ‘Sound production’)
Paranasal sinuses /ˌpærəˈneɪzᵊl ˈsaɪnəsɪz/
These are ‘mucosa-lined air cavities in bones of the skull, communicating with the nasal
cavity and including ethmoidal, frontal, maxillary, and sphenoidal sinuses.’ (Source:‘Sinus’)
(A sinus /ˈsaɪnəs/ is a cavity or recess in a bone.)
Their articulatory function is to modify voice and this way human sound becomes very
personal and distinguishable/recognisable.
Figure 6 Paranasal sinuses (Source: ‘Sinus’)
/ˌpærəˈneɪzᵊl ˈsaɪnəsɪz/
Sources:
Benda 2013
Benda, J. Thomas. ‘Hypopharynx.’ In: Healthtap. <https://www.healthtap.com/user_questions/256513what-region-of-the-pharynx-is-closest-to-the-larynx> Uploaded: 2013 Retrieved: 20-08-2013
Miller [et al.] 2002
Miller, Dave [et al.]. ‘The origin of language and communication.’ In: Apologetics press.
<http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=9&article=1351> Uploaded: 2002
Retrieved: 21-08-2013
‘Sinus.’ [s. a.]
‘Sinus.’ [Dictionary entry.] In: The free dictionary : medical dictionary. <http://medicaldictionary.thefreedictionary.com/sinus> Uploaded: [s. a.] Retrieved: 21-08-2013
Cited from Dorland's Medical Dictionary for Health Consumers. © 2007 by Saunders, an imprint of
Elsevier, Inc.
‘Sound production’ [s. a.]
‘Sound production.’ In: Introduction to phonetics. <http://www.unil.ch/ling/page24434.html>
Uploaded: [s. a.] Retrieved: 21-08-2013