Comprehensive Physiology Wiley Online Library

Modifications of Breathing for Phonation

Full Article on Wiley Online Library



Abstract

The sections in this article are:

1 Laryngeal Function
2 Breathing for Phonation
3 Summary
Figure 1. Figure 1.

Factors influencing voice pitch. Equation denotes that fundamental frequency equals constant times square root of elastic forces in vocal folds divided by mass per unit length. Left, fold for low pitch. Right, fold for high pitch.

From Proctor 42
Figure 2. Figure 2.

Cord lengthening by the cricothyroid muscles drawing thyroid cartilage forward and approximating its anterior aspect to cricoid.

From Proctor 42
Figure 3. Figure 3.

Relative changes in lung volume, subglottic pressure, and airflow in quiet breathing, speech, and song. VC, vital capacity; RV, residual volume; FRC, functional residual capacity; TLC, total lung capacity.

From Wyke 54
Figure 4. Figure 4.

Subglottic pressures that can be produced with maximum expiratory effort at various lung volumes.

Data from Rahn et al. 56
Figure 5. Figure 5.

Lung volume and airflow changes during various phonatory maneuvers.

From Proctor 42
Figure 6. Figure 6.

Final phrase in Zueignung by Richard Strauss. Dotted line, subglottic pressure; solid line, lung volume.

From Proctor 42
Figure 7. Figure 7.

Volume changes during singing sustained tone of moderate intensity from near top of vital capacity (VC) to near residual volume.

Figure 8. Figure 8.

Pressure‐volume diagram showing elastic forces of chest (C), lung (L), and their summation (solid line, open circles). Pressures required for soft tone (pp) and loud tone (ff) are indicated. Hatched areas, inspiratory and expiratory effort required for soft tone. Z, point where elastic force exactly equals demand; R, sum of subglottic pressure available from chest and lung elastic force. Data obtained from working with J. Mead and A. Bouhuys, Harvard University.

From Proctor 42
Figure 9. Figure 9.

Volume change with sustained tone (A), airflow (B), time in 10‐s intervals (C), and muscle activity as indicated by electromyograph of diaphragm (D), external intercostals (E), internal intercostals (F), abdominal external oblique (G), rectus abdominis (H), and latissimus dorsi (I).

Adapted from Ladefoged 28
Figure 10. Figure 10.

Recording of transdiaphragmatic pressure during singing single tone and performance of slow expiratory vital capacity.

From Wyke 54
Figure 11. Figure 11.

Changes in abdominal (right) and chest (left) girth as seen through pneumographs. Dotted lines, performing vital capacity; solid lines, singing sustained tone. In singing, after the initial fall in abdominal girth, no further change occurs until the midpoint of vital capacity.

From Wyke 54


Figure 1.

Factors influencing voice pitch. Equation denotes that fundamental frequency equals constant times square root of elastic forces in vocal folds divided by mass per unit length. Left, fold for low pitch. Right, fold for high pitch.

From Proctor 42


Figure 2.

Cord lengthening by the cricothyroid muscles drawing thyroid cartilage forward and approximating its anterior aspect to cricoid.

From Proctor 42


Figure 3.

Relative changes in lung volume, subglottic pressure, and airflow in quiet breathing, speech, and song. VC, vital capacity; RV, residual volume; FRC, functional residual capacity; TLC, total lung capacity.

From Wyke 54


Figure 4.

Subglottic pressures that can be produced with maximum expiratory effort at various lung volumes.

Data from Rahn et al. 56


Figure 5.

Lung volume and airflow changes during various phonatory maneuvers.

From Proctor 42


Figure 6.

Final phrase in Zueignung by Richard Strauss. Dotted line, subglottic pressure; solid line, lung volume.

From Proctor 42


Figure 7.

Volume changes during singing sustained tone of moderate intensity from near top of vital capacity (VC) to near residual volume.



Figure 8.

Pressure‐volume diagram showing elastic forces of chest (C), lung (L), and their summation (solid line, open circles). Pressures required for soft tone (pp) and loud tone (ff) are indicated. Hatched areas, inspiratory and expiratory effort required for soft tone. Z, point where elastic force exactly equals demand; R, sum of subglottic pressure available from chest and lung elastic force. Data obtained from working with J. Mead and A. Bouhuys, Harvard University.

From Proctor 42


Figure 9.

Volume change with sustained tone (A), airflow (B), time in 10‐s intervals (C), and muscle activity as indicated by electromyograph of diaphragm (D), external intercostals (E), internal intercostals (F), abdominal external oblique (G), rectus abdominis (H), and latissimus dorsi (I).

Adapted from Ladefoged 28


Figure 10.

Recording of transdiaphragmatic pressure during singing single tone and performance of slow expiratory vital capacity.

From Wyke 54


Figure 11.

Changes in abdominal (right) and chest (left) girth as seen through pneumographs. Dotted lines, performing vital capacity; solid lines, singing sustained tone. In singing, after the initial fall in abdominal girth, no further change occurs until the midpoint of vital capacity.

From Wyke 54
References
 1. Adams, C., and R. R. Munro. The relationship between internal intercostal muscle activity and pause placement in the connected utterance of native and non‐native speakers of English. Phonetica 28: 227–250, 1973.
 2. Bosma, J. F. Anatomic and physiologic development of the speech apparatus. In: The Nervous System. Human Communication and Its Disorders, edited by D. B. Tower New York: Raven, 1975, vol. 3, p. 469–481.
 3. Bouhuys, A., J. Mead, and D. F. Proctor. Pressure‐flow events during singing. Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 155: 165–176, 1968.
 4. Bouhuys, A., D. F. Proctor, and J. Mead. Kinetic aspects of singing. J. Appl. Physiol. 21: 483–496, 1966.
 5. Bunch, M. A. A cephalometric study of structures of the head and neck during sustained phonation of covered and open qualities. Folia Phoniatr. 28: 321–328, 1976.
 6. Bunn, J. C., and J. Mead. Control of ventilation during speech. J. Appl. Physiol. 31: 870–872, 1971.
 7. Campbell, E. J. M. The Respiratory Muscles and the Mechanics of Breathing. Chicago, IL: Year Book, 1958.
 8. Campbell, E. J. M. The respiratory muscles. Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 155: 135–140, 1968.
 9. Cavagna, G. A., and E. M. Camporesi. Glottal aerodynamics and phonation. In: Ventilatory and Phonatory Control Systems, edited by B. Wyke London: Oxford Univ. Press, 1974, p. 76–87.
 10. Cavagna, G. A., and R. Margaria. An analysis of the mechanics of phonation. J. Appl. Physiol. 20: 301–307, 1965.
 11. Cavagna, G. A., and R. Margaria. Airflow rates and efficiency changes during phonation. Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 155: 152–164, 1968.
 12. Draper, M. H., P. Ladefoged, and D. Whitteridge. Respiratory muscles in speech. J. Speech Hear. Res. 2: 16–27, 1959.
 13. Draper, M. H., P. Ladefoged, and D. Whitteridge. Expiratory pressures and air flow during speech. Br. Med. J. 1: 1837–1843, 1960.
 14. Ellis, R. E., F. C. Flack, H. J. Curle, and W. G. Selley. A system for assessment of nasal airflow during speech. Br. J. Disord. Commun. 13: 31–48, 1978.
 15. Euler, C. von. The proprioceptive control of the diaphragm. Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 155: 204–205, 1968.
 16. Euler, C. von, and V. Critchlow. Intercostal muscle spindle activity and its motor control. J. Physiol. London 168: 820–847, 1963.
 17. Faaborg‐Andersen, K. Electromyographic investigation of intrinsic laryngeal muscles in humans. Acta Physiol. Scand. Suppl. 41: 140, 1957.
 18. Faulkner, M., and E. P. Sharpey‐Schafer. Circulatory effects of trumpet playing. Br. Med. J. 1: 685–686, 1959.
 19. Gould, W. J., and H. Okamura. Static lung volumes in singers. Ann. Otol. Rhinol. Laryngol. 82: 89–95, 1973.
 20. Gould, W. J., and H. Okamura. Respiratory training of the singer. Folia Phoniatr. 26: 275–286, 1974.
 21. Grim, M. Muscle spindles in the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle of the human larynx. Folia Morphol. Praha 15: 124–131, 1967.
 22. Heller, S. S., W. R. Hicks, and W. S. Root. Lung volumes of singers. J. Appl. Physiol. 15: 40–42, 1960.
 23. Hirose, H., and T. Gay. The activity of the intrinsic muscles in voicing control. An electromyographic study. Phonetica 25: 140–164, 1972.
 24. Hixon, T. J., M. D. Goldman, and J. Mead. Kinematics of the chest wall during speech production: volume displacements of the rib cage, abdomen, and lung. J. Speech Hear. Res. 16: 78–115, 1973.
 25. Hixon, T. J., J. Mead, and M. D. Goldman. Dynamics of the chest wall during speech production, function of the thorax, rib cage, diaphragm, and abdomen. J. Speech Hear. Res. 19: 297–356, 1976.
 26. Hoshiko, M. S. Lung volume for initiation of phonation. J. Appl. Physiol. 20: 480–482, 1965.
 27. Konno, K., and J. Mead. Measurement of the separate volume changes of rib cage and abdomen during breathing. J. Appl. Physiol. 22: 407–422, 1967.
 28. Ladefoged, P. Three Areas of Experimental Phonetics. London: Oxford Univ. Press, 1967.
 29. ladefoged, P. Linguistic aspects of respiratory phenomena. Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 155: 141–151, 1968.
 30. Leith, D. E., and M. Bradley. Ventilatory muscle strength and endurance training. J. Appl. Physiol. 41: 508–516, 1976.
 31. Lindqvist‐Gauffin, J., and J. Sundberg. Acoustic properties of the nasal tract. Phonetica 33: 161–168, 1976.
 32. Malcolm, J. E. Resonant cavities, dipole resonance and phonation: a description of the upper respiratory tract in engineering terms. In: Ventilatory and Phonatory Control Systems, edited by B. Wyke London: Oxford Univ. Press, 1974, p. 265–270.
 33. Margaria, R., and G. Cavagna. Il mecanismo della fonazione. Boll. Soc. Ital. Sper. 35: 2075–2077, 1959.
 34. Martensson, A. The functional organization of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles. Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 155: 91–97, 1968.
 35. McGinnis, C. S., M. Elnick, and M. Kraichman. A study of the vowel formants of well‐known opera singers. J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 23: 440–446, 1951.
 36. Mead, J., A. Bouhuys, and D. F. Proctor. Mechanisms generating subglottic pressure. Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 155: 177–181, 1968.
 37. Mead, J., and J. C. Bunn. Speech as breathing. In: Ventilatory and Phonatory Control Systems, edited by B. Wyke London: Oxford Univ. Press, 1974, p. 33–38.
 38. Otis, A. B. Some ventilation phonation relationships. In: Ventilatory and Phonatory Control Systems, edited by B. Wyke London: Oxford Univ. Press, 1974, p. 334–338.
 39. Phillipson, E. A., P. A. McClean, C. E. Sullivan, and N. Zamel. Interaction of metabolic and behavioral respiratory control during hypercapnia and speech. Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 117: 903–910, 1978.
 40. Proctor, D. F. The physiologic basis of voice training. Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 155: 208–228, 1968.
 41. Proctor, D. F. Breathing mechanics in phonation and singing. In: Ventilatory and Phonatory Control Systems, edited by B. Wyke London: Oxford Univ. Press, 1974, p. 39–57.
 42. Proctor, D. F. Breathing, Speech, and Song. New York: Springer‐Verlag, 1980.
 43. Purves, M. J. What do we breathe for? In: Central Nervous Control Mechanisms in Breathing, edited by C. von Euler and H. Lagercrantz Oxford, UK: Pergamon, 1979, p. 7–12.
 44. Rahn, H., A. B. Otis, L. E. Chadwick, and W. O. Fenn. The pressure‐volume diagram of the thorax and lung. Am. J. Physiol. 146: 161–178, 1946.
 45. Schutte, H. K. The Efficiency of Voice Production. Gröningen, The Netherlands: Kemper, 1980.
 46. Sears, T. A. Some neural and mechanical aspects of singing. In: Music and the Brain, edited by M. Critchley and R. A. Henson Springfield, IL: Thomas, 1977, p. 78–94.
 47. Sokolowsky, R. R. Effect of the extrinsic laryngeal muscles on voice production. Arch. Otolaryngol. 38: 355–364, 1943.
 48. Sonninen, A. Is the length of the vocal cords the same at all different levels of singing. Acta Oto‐Laryngol. Suppl. 118: 219–231, 1954.
 49. Sonninen, A. The role of the external laryngeal muscles in length‐adjustment of the vocal cords in singing. Acta Oto‐Laryngol. Suppl. 130: 1956, 102 p.
 50. Sonninen, A. The external frame function in the control of pitch in the human voice. Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 155: 68–90, 1968.
 51. Stevens, K. N., and D. H. Klatt. Current models of sound sources for speech. In: Ventilatory and Phonatory Control Systems, edited by B. Wyke London: Oxford Univ. Press, 1974, p. 279–291.
 52. Van Den Berg, J. Physiology and physics of voice production. Acta Physiol. Pharmacol. Neerl. 5: 40–55, 1956.
 53. Van Den Berg, J. Myoelastic‐aerodynamic theory of voice production. J. Speech Hear. Res. 1: 227–244, 1958.
 54. Vogelsanger, G. T. Experimentell Prüfing der Stimmleistung beim Singen. Folia Phoniatr. 6: 193–227, 1954.
 55. Wyke, B. Ventilatory and Phonatory Control Systems. London: Oxford Univ. Press, 1974.
 56. Wyke, B., and J. A. Kirchner. Neurology of the larynx. In: Foundations of Otolaryngology, edited by R. Hinchcliffe and D. Harrison London: Heinemann, 1976, p. 546–574.

Contact Editor

Submit a note to the editor about this article by filling in the form below.

* Required Field

How to Cite

Donald F. Proctor. Modifications of Breathing for Phonation. Compr Physiol 2011, Supplement 12: Handbook of Physiology, The Respiratory System, Mechanics of Breathing: 597-604. First published in print 1986. doi: 10.1002/cphy.cp030333