Anatomy of Speech Organs

Speech Organs

• Alveolar ridge: a bony prominence located just behind the upper front teeth, plays a crucial role in producing certain speech sounds
• Hard palate: the front part of the roof of the mouth, separates the oral and nasal cavities
• Nasal cavity: a hollow space within the skull, responsible for warming, humidifying, and filtering the air we breathe
• Soft palate (velum): a soft, movable part at the back of the roof of the mouth, helps to direct airflow between the oral and nasal cavities
• Uvula: a small, soft piece of tissue hanging from the back of the soft palate, helps to direct airflow and produce certain speech sounds
• Nostrils: the two small openings at the base of the nose, allow air to enter and exit the nasal cavity
• Lips: flexible, movable structures used for articulation and speech formation
• Teeth: hard, calcified structures used for articulation and speech formation
• Tongue: a flexible, movable organ used for articulation, speech formation, and manipulating food during eating

Lower Respiratory Tract

• Pharynx: a muscular tube that connects the nasal and oral cavities to the larynx, plays a crucial role in swallowing and speaking
• Epiglottis: a flap-like structure that separates the trachea and esophagus, prevents food and liquids from entering the trachea
• Larynx: a cartilaginous structure located at the top of the trachea, contains the vocal folds and is responsible for producing sound
• Vocal folds: two bands of muscle tissue located within the larynx, vibrate to produce sound
• Glottis: the opening between the vocal folds, responsible for regulating airflow and producing different speech sounds

Identify the different parts of the human speech organs involved in sound production. Learn about the alveolar ridge, hard palate, nasal cavity, and more.