Velum muscles VPP closure methods
The velum
Jahurul Islam
LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics
(Term 2024W2)
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Velum muscles
VPP closure methods
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Learning objectives
By the end of this lesson, you would be able to:
▶ identify and describe different muscles of velum
▶ identify and describe different methods of VPP closure
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
The velum
▶ The velum, or soft palate, plays a crucial role in speech by managing airflow
between the oral and nasal cavities.
▶ It comprises several muscles that enable it to move in complex ways for speech
production.
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
The velum
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Muscles of the Velum: Overview
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Levator Veli Palatini
▶ Most important muscle for velum raising
▶ Origin: Petrous part of temporal bone and cartilage of the Eustachian tube.
▶ Insertion: Palatine aponeurosis of the soft palate.
▶ Forms a U-shaped muscular sling.
▶ Function: Elevates the soft palate to close off the nasopharynx.
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Levator Veli Palatini
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Palatine aponeurosis
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Palatine aponeurosis
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Tensor Veli Palatini
▶ Origin: Sphenoid bone near the base of the skull and the Eustachian tube.
▶ Insertion: Palatine aponeurosis.
▶ Function: Tenses the soft palate and opens the Eustachian tube.
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Tensor Veli Palatini
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Palatoglossus
▶ Origin: Palatine aponeurosis of the soft palate.
▶ Insertion: Lateral sides of the tongue.
▶ Function: Draws the soft palate towards the tongue and narrows the
oropharyngeal isthmus.
▶ Forms a complete ring.
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Muscles of the Velum: Overview
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Palatoglossus
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Palatopharyngeus
▶ Origin: Palatine aponeurosis and the hard palate.
▶ Insertion: Thyroid cartilage and the pharyngeal wall.
▶ Function: Lowers the soft palate and narrows the pharyngeal cavity.
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Palatopharyngeus
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Musculus Uvulae
▶ Origin: Posterior nasal spine of the palatine bone.
▶ Insertion: Uvula.
▶ Function: Elevates and thickens the uvula, assisting in closing the nasopharynx.
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Functional Roles of Velar Muscles
▶ These muscles work in coordination for various functions:
▶ Speech production by altering the shape and position of the velum to manage
airflow.
▶ Swallowing by closing the nasopharynx to prevent food from entering the nasal
cavity.
▶ Disruption in the function of these muscles can lead to speech and swallowing
disorders.
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Interaction Between Tongue and Velum
▶ The palatoglossus muscle connects the tongue and velum, influencing their
positions and the resultant speech sounds.
▶ Velum Lowering:
▶ Pulls the soft palate downward, aiding in the closure of the velopharyngeal port during
the production of non-nasal sounds.
▶ Tongue Raising:
▶ Due to its insertion into the tongue, it also elevates the back of the tongue towards
the soft palate.
▶ The specific action performed depends on coordinated muscle activity and the task
being executed.
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Poll question
The function of the Palatoglossus muscle includes which of the following?
A. Tensing the soft palate
B. Drawing the soft palate towards the tongue and narrowing the oropharyngeal
isthmus
C. Elevating and thickening the uvula
D. Opening the Eustachian tube
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Methods of VPP Closure
▶ The Velopharyngeal Port (VPP) can be closed using different methods, impacting
the production of oral and nasal sounds.
▶ More than half the population utilizes the trapdoor (coronal) method, relying
mainly on the velum’s movement to seal against the rear pharyngeal wall.
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Trapdoor Method of VPP Closure
▶ The trapdoor method involves the velum rising to form a complete seal with the
rear pharyngeal wall.
▶ Key muscle: Levator palati.
▶ Effective when the velum is large enough or when assisted by the adenoid pad.
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Alternative Methods of VPP Closure
▶ Circular Method: Involves both levator palati and the superior pharyngeal
constrictor to constrict the lateral pharyngeal walls, employed by about 20% of
people.
▶ Circular with Passavant’s Ridge (CPR): Similar to the circular method but
includes the use of Passavant’s ridge for about 15-20% of people.
▶ Sagittal Method: Utilizes the superior pharyngeal constrictors to squeeze the
lateral walls around the velum, rare among individuals with normal VPP function.
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Comparison of VPP Closure Methods
▶ Each method offers a unique mechanism for achieving velopharyngeal closure,
affecting speech production differently.
▶ The choice of method may be influenced by anatomical factors and the need for
precise control over oral and nasal sound distinction.
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Poll question
Which of the following muscles is primarily engaged in the circular method of VPP
closure?
A) Tensor veli palatini
B) Palatoglossus
C) Levator veli palatini and superior pharyngeal constrictor
D) Musculus uvulae
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The velum
Velum muscles VPP closure methods
Thank you!
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Jahurul Islam LING 314: Instrumental Phonetics (Term 2024W2)
The velum