Fariborz Alipour
Dept. of Speech Pathol. and Audiol., Univ. of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-1012
Ronald C. Scherer
Denver Ctr. for the Performing Arts, Denver, CO
The pulsatile airflow in the excised larynx was investigated with the simultaneous measurements of glottal pressure, volume flow, EGG, and particle velocity at various dynamic conditions of the larynx. Canine larynges were mounted in a bench with some sutures attached to cartilages to mimic the function of laryngeal muscles. The sustained oscillations were obtained and maintained with the flow of heated and humidified air through the trachea. The pitch and amplitude of oscillations were controlled with amount of airflow and the mechanical adjustment of glottal adduction and vocal-fold elongation. The particle velocity was measured above the glottis with a constant temperature hot-wire probe at various locations and oscillating conditions. The measured subglottal pressure with a pressure transducer had a periodic variation and its mean value was higher than the manometer's reading of the same location. The measured particle velocity showed some turbulence superimposed on a periodic flow. The mean particle velocity showed some variations in the glottal exit area both along the vocal folds and across the glottis. [Work supported by NIDCD Grant No. DC00831-02.]