CCC CCC ASHA Anatomy & Physiology of Communication 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During the oral phase of swallowing, which action propels the bolus posteriorly toward the pharynx?
- Elevation of the soft palate
- Posterior tongue movement pressing bolus against hard palate (Correct answer)
- Contraction of the superior pharyngeal constrictor
- Elevation of the larynx
Correct answer: Posterior tongue movement pressing bolus against hard palate
During the oral phase, the tongue tip anchors anteriorly while the dorsum elevates and moves posteriorly, propelling the bolus toward the pharynx.
Question 2: What is the primary respiratory pattern change that occurs when switching from quiet breathing to conversational speech?
- Inspiratory phase becomes longer than expiratory phase
- Expiratory phase is prolonged and controlled to sustain voicing (Correct answer)
- Tidal volume decreases significantly
- Breathing rate increases substantially to support phonation
Correct answer: Expiratory phase is prolonged and controlled to sustain voicing
During speech, the expiratory phase is prolonged and carefully controlled through active muscle activity to sustain sufficient subglottal pressure for voicing.
Question 3: Which intrinsic tongue muscle changes the shape of the tongue from flat to grooved, which is critical for many speech sounds?
- Superior longitudinal
- Inferior longitudinal
- Transverse (Correct answer)
- Vertical
Correct answer: Transverse
The transverse muscle runs mediolaterally and narrows/elongates the tongue, contributing to grooving which is critical for fricative and other sounds.
Question 4: The Bernoulli effect during vocal fold vibration contributes to which phase of the vibratory cycle?
- Opening of the vocal folds from below
- Closing of the vocal folds as airflow speeds up (Correct answer)
- Sustaining the open phase
- Initiating the next vibratory cycle
Correct answer: Closing of the vocal folds as airflow speeds up
As air accelerates through the narrowing glottis, the Bernoulli effect creates a drop in pressure that draws the vocal folds back toward midline, assisting closure.
Question 5: Which structure acts as the primary resonator responsible for voice quality differences between speakers producing the same fundamental frequency?
- Nasal cavity only
- Trachea and bronchi
- Vocal tract (pharynx, oral, and nasal cavities combined) (Correct answer)
- Subglottal airways
Correct answer: Vocal tract (pharynx, oral, and nasal cavities combined)
The vocal tract, encompassing the pharynx, oral, and nasal cavities, acts as an acoustic filter that shapes the spectral characteristics of the laryngeal source, producing unique voice quality.
Question 6: The cricothyroid muscle is the primary muscle responsible for which vocal parameter?
- Vocal intensity (loudness)
- Fundamental frequency (pitch) control (Correct answer)
- Vocal register switching (modal to falsetto)
- Adduction of the vocal folds
Correct answer: Fundamental frequency (pitch) control
The cricothyroid muscle tilts the cricoid cartilage posteriorly relative to the thyroid, elongating and tensing the vocal folds, which increases fundamental frequency (pitch).
Question 7: During the pharyngeal phase of swallowing, which of the following events occurs to protect the airway?
- The epiglottis actively closes over the glottis before laryngeal elevation
- The larynx elevates and the epiglottis deflects over the laryngeal inlet (Correct answer)
- The soft palate descends to seal the larynx
- The true vocal folds abduct to widen the glottis
Correct answer: The larynx elevates and the epiglottis deflects over the laryngeal inlet
The larynx elevates anterosuperiorly, and the epiglottis deflects posteroinferiorly over the laryngeal inlet, combined with true and false vocal fold adduction, to protect the airway during the pharyngeal swallow.
CCC CCC ASHA Anatomy & Physiology of Communication 2
During the oral phase of swallowing, which action propels the bolus posteriorly toward the pharynx?