Ventricular-fold dynamics in human phonation

PURPOSE: In this study, the authors aimed (a) to provide a classification of the ventricular-fold dynamics during voicing, (b) to study the aerodynamic impact of these motions on vocal-fold vibrations, and (c) to assess whether ventricular-fold oscillations could be sustained by aerodynamic coupling with the vocal folds.

METHOD: A 72-sample database of vocal gestures accompanying different acoustical events comprised high-speed cinematographic, audio, and electroglottographic recordings of 5 subjects. Combining the physiological correlates with a theoretical model of phonation, the vocal-ventricular aerodynamic interactions were investigated.

RESULTS: A ventricular-fold motion is found during (de)crescendos, shout, throat singing, yodel, growls, and glides with transitions between registers. Three main types of dynamics are identified: slow nonoscillatory motion and fast oscillatory motion with aperiodical or periodical vibrations. These patterns accompany a change in voice quality, pitch, and/or intensity. Alterations of glottal-oscillatory amplitude, frequency, and contact were predicted. It is shown that a ventricular oscillation can be initiated and sustained by aerodynamic coupling with the vocal folds.

CONCLUSIONS: Vocal-ventricular aerodynamic interactions can alter, enhance, or suppress vocal-fold vibrations or leave them unchanged, depending on the ventricular-fold dynamics involved. Depending on its variation in time, a similar level of ventricular-fold adduction impacts the glottal vibratory magnitude and contact much differently.