Cineradiographic Definition of the Functional Anatomy and Pathophysiology of the Velopharynx

Abstract

Speech is a manifestation of velopharyngeal function and is therefore anatomically determined. The further development of cleft palate surgery on a physiological, rather than empirical, basis is entirely dependent upon a thorough understanding of the functional anatomy and patho— physiology of the velopharynx. The present study has addressed itself toward assessment of the perti— nent functional anatomical variables involved in velopharyngeal func— tion with the goal of selecting those objectively measurable parameters best correlating with subjective evaluation of speech. Method and Material The instrumentation and technique for cineradiographic evaluation of the vocal tract with synchronous sound recording has been described in detail (9). The Tagarno film analyzer has not proven entirely satisfactory in that the indistinct quality of the projected image does not allow for precise measurements. The image is projected onto 14 x 17 inch K & E Albanene tracing paper (Figure 1). Serial tracings are based on the following reference points. ANS and PNS: the anterior and posterior nasal spines, respectively. The plane of the palate is represented by a straight line connecting the points ANS and PNS. This plane is extended through the posterior pharyngeal wall; PPW, the posterior pharyngeal wall at the point intersected by The authors are afiiliated with the Division