Function of the posterior cricoarytenoid in speech articulation

Abstract

The posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) is known to be the only abductor of the larynx, but its role in speech has not fully been clarified. Recent electromyographic studies reveal active participation of PCA in the production of voiceless consonants and breathy phonation [Hirose and Gay, Phonefica 25, 140 (1972); Folia Phonier. 25, 203 (1973)]. Computer-averaged electromyographic data were obtained from PCA of a Japanese subject who uttered meaningful test words embedded in a frame sentence. The test words were so selected as to contain voiceless consonants, devoiced vowel segments, or geminates in word initial and medial positions. The results indicated that there was consistent increase in PCA activity for the voiceless portion of the test words. The size of the glottal opening was then measured on the same subject by means of the fiberscopic technique. Positive correlation was found between the amount of peak PCA activity for a given voiceless segment and the degree of maximum glottal opening for the same voiceless segment. [This research was supported in part by the National Institute of Dental Research, NIH Grant No. DE-01774.]