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Which parts of the vocal tract are used to produce speech sounds?
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Speech is the faculty of producing articulated sounds, which, when blended together, form language.
Speech production involves the coordinated movement of various structures within the vocal tract, which includes the larynx and the pharyngeal, oral, and nasal cavities.2
The process begins with the respiratory system, as air from the lungs passes through the larynx. Within the larynx, the vocal cords vibrate to produce voiced sounds, while the glottis serves as the space between them.12
Once the air reaches the upper cavities, it is shaped into specific speech sounds by the articulators. These include:3
- Mobile articulators: The tongue (including the tip, blade, front, centre, back, and root), the lower lip, and the soft palate (velum), which can be raised to close off the nasal tract.12
- Rigid articulators: The upper lip, upper teeth, alveolar ridge, hard palate, and the pharyngeal wall.12
The uvula, located at the end of the soft palate, also plays a role in these configurations. By positioning these organs relative to one another, the vocal tract modifies the airstream to create distinct consonants and vowels.12