Practice Test Geeks(ASHA) American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Certification Practice Test
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Anatomy and Physiology of Communication Flashcards

7 cards from real ASHA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. The arcuate fasciculus is a white matter pathway that connects which two language-processing regions?

    Answer: Broca's area and Wernicke's area

    The arcuate fasciculus arcs around the Sylvian fissure, linking the inferior frontal (Broca's) and posterior temporal (Wernicke's) language areas and supporting repetition and phonological processing.

  2. Which intrinsic laryngeal muscle is the primary adductor of the vocal folds, closing the glottis for phonation?

    Answer: Lateral cricoarytenoid (LCA)

    The lateral cricoarytenoid rotates the arytenoid cartilages anteromedially, adducting the vocal processes and closing the membranous glottis for phonation.

  3. The saccule and utricle (otolith organs) of the vestibular system primarily detect:

    Answer: Linear acceleration and the gravitational vertical

    The otolith organs contain calcium carbonate crystals (otoconia) that deflect hair cells in response to linear accelerations and static gravitational tilt.

  4. Conductive hearing loss results from pathology affecting which anatomical region(s)?

    Answer: Outer ear and/or middle ear

    Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound cannot be efficiently transmitted through the outer ear canal, tympanic membrane, or ossicular chain to the inner ear.

  5. The cricothyroid (CT) muscle increases vocal fundamental frequency primarily by:

    Answer: Elongating and tensioning the vocal folds by tilting the thyroid cartilage forward

    CT contraction draws the thyroid and cricoid cartilages closer anteriorly, stretching the vocal folds longitudinally, increasing their stiffness and raising F0.

  6. The inferior pharyngeal constrictor is most active during which phase of the normal swallow?

    Answer: Pharyngeal phase

    During the pharyngeal phase, sequential contraction of the pharyngeal constrictors (including the inferior constrictor) propels the bolus inferiorly toward the esophageal inlet.

  7. Although inner hair cells (IHCs) are fewer in number than outer hair cells, they receive approximately what percentage of the auditory nerve's afferent fibers?

    Answer: 90%

    Despite comprising roughly 20–25% of total cochlear hair cells, IHCs receive approximately 90–95% of afferent Type I spiral ganglion fibers, making them the primary transducers sending acoustic information to the brain.