Neurology & Respiration Flashcards
Speech Process
Not an isolated phenomena
Goal is to produce meaningful sound combinations
Speaker uses air to make a number of sounds that vary
Sounds are produced by regulating the airstream
Regulation is brought about by movements of the articulators
Movements result of muscle contractions controlled by nerve impulses
Controlled by the nervous system
CNS
Brain
Spinal cord
PNS
Cranial nerves
Spinal nerves
Neurons
Specialized to receive, conduct and transmit nerve impulses
Transmit information in the form of nerve impluses: From cell to cell, From cell to muscle, gland etc.
Assume many shapes and lengths
Always have a cell body and extensions that receive and transmit impulses
The rate of nerve impulse conduction depends on the presence or absence of myelin
Efferent
Motor Neuron
carry impulses from the CNS to the periphery
Afferent
Sensory neuron
carry impulses from the peripheral sense organs to the CNS
Myelin
Fatty deposit surrounding nerves/neurons
The term white matter (myelin has a fatty, whitish appearance) is often used to describe parts of the nervous system
Neuron Conduction
Conduction from one neuron to another involves the release of chemicals at the synapse
Some chemicals facilitate the firing of the next cell and others inhibit firing
The chemicals act to bridge the small space between the fibers of the terminal arbor of the transmitting neuron and the dendrites of the receiving neuron
There are approximately 1 trillion such synapses in the human brain
Dendrites
receive information from axons
many arms
surround cell body
Axon terminals
transmits and establishes contact with another cell
Synapse
site of contact
Axon
conducts information to dendrites
one long “tail”
Parts of the Brain
Cerebrum - larger, front portion
Cerebellum - back, small, above brain stem
Brain stem
Cerebrum
Two hemispheres
Four lobes: Frontal Temporal Parietal Occipital
Frontal Lobe Functions
(Executive Functioning, thinking; Broca's) Behavior Abstract thought Problem solving Attention Creative thought Some emotion Intellect Reflection Skilled movements Physical reaction Judgment Initiative Inhibition Coordination of movements Generalized and mass movements Some eye movements Sense of smell Muscle movements Libido
Occipital Lobe Functions
Vision
Reading
Parietal Lobe Functions
(Mostly Sensory Information)
Sense of touch Appreciation of form through touch Response to internal stimuli Sensory combination and comprehension Some language and reading functions Some visual functions
Temporal Lobe Functions
(Hearing, Language Processing)
Auditory memories Some hearing Visual memories Some vision pathways Other memory Music Fear Some language Some speech Some behavior and emotions Sense of identity
Cerebellum
Little Brain
Balance
Posture
Cardiac, respiratory
Brain Stem
Motor and sensory pathway to body and face
Unconscious Life functions
Vital centers: cardiac, respiratory, vasomotor
Left hemisphere
controls movement on the right side of the body
produce and understand language
Dominant for the control of speech in almost all right-handed people and most left-handed people
Area around the temporal-parietal juncture is critical for language in general
Right hemisphere
controls movement on the left side of the body
temporal and spatial relationships
analyzing nonverbal information
communicating emotion
aphasia
Damage to cells of the brain caused by a blood clot or ruptured blood vessel cause a language impairment
Disabilities in: forming utterances comprehension articulation reading writing naming
Spoonerisms
Evidence for planning
speakers hold a complete phase in a stage of readiness for speech
word reversals/phoneme reversals
stress and intonation of the phrase or sentence remain constant in the face of word changes
Paul Broca
Speech production was controlled in the 3rd convolution of the frontal lobe of the left cerebral hemisphere
Carl Wernicke
Localized the understanding of speech in the first convolution of the left temporal lobe
Connective Fibers between Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas
Arcuate fasciculus
Penfield & Roberts
Stimulated areas of the brain to map the cortex before surgery
Dominance determined by Wada Test;
Sodium amobarbital
Function of the Spinal Cord
A. Serve as a conduit for motor information, which travels down the spinal cord.
B. Serve as a conduit for sensory information, which travels up the spinal cord.
C. Serve as a center for coordinating certain reflexes.
(Efferent, afferent, reflexes)
PNS & Speech
We know more about the PNS vs. the CNS
The circuitry of the PNS has been mapped
Cranial nerves emerge from the base of the brain
Many activate groups of muscles important to speech production
Spinal nerves activate muscles used in the control of respiration for speech
Sound Producers
vocal folds, tongue, lips, jaw and soft palate
Cranial Nerve V
– Trigeminal (sensory & motor)
Cranial Nerve VII
– Facial (sensory & motor)
Cranial Nerve IX
– Glossopharyngeal (sensory & motor)
Cranial Nerve X
– Vagus (sensory & motor)
Cranial Nerve XI
– Spinal Accessory (motor)
Cranial Nerve XII
– Hypoglossal (motor)
Sound Resonators
the mouth, pharynx, and nasal cavities
Sound Production
English has approximately 40 phonemes
They are all created by making exhaled air audible
Two methods for making airflow audible
Phonation
Consonant noises
Phonation
Created by the rapid opening and closing of the glottis
The continuous flow of air from the lungs is chopped into a discontinuous series of tiny audible puffs of air
Periodic sound wave – recurring at equal intervals of time
(Vowels)
Consonant Production
Created by positioning articulators so that they form occlusions or constrictions in the vocal tract
As the flow or air is released from the occlusions or channeled through the constrictions, aperiodic sounds are created
Most often in the mouth or oral cavity
Both the sounds of phonation and consonant noise are resonated in the vocal tract
Negative Pressure Breathing
Flow of air into and out of the air reservoir of an accordion is analogous to what occurs in the lungs when we breathe
Expand our chest and lungs causing air to flow in to equalize the negative pressure or partial vacuum
We contract our thorax and lungs, causing air to flow out to equalize the positive pressure created by the contraction
Change the volume, change the pressure
Inspiration Quiet Breathing
Medulla sends neuronal impulses via the spinal cord to the pertinent thoracic muscles
Phrenic nerve innervates the diaphragm and causes a contraction of the diaphragm
Diaphragm forms the floor of the thoracic cavity
Thoracic volume increases vertically as the floor lowers
Speech Breathing
The volume of air inhaled is greater than that inspired during quiet breathing
The degree of automaticity – we assume more voluntary control over our breathing
Inspiration for speech comprises less of the total respiratory cycle than during quiet breathing
Quiet – 40% inhalation, 60% exhalation
Speech – 10% inhalation, 90% exhalation
Poor control over the respiratory system can have a number of clinical consequences
Voice disorders
Cerebral palsy
Hearing loss
Stuttering
Breath Support for Speaking
- Diaphragmatic breathing and abdominal muscle support need to be used every time you sing or speak.
- Replenish your air supply by breathing more frequently when speaking long sentences.
- Take slow, relaxed breaths during pauses, speaking at a normal rate.
