Prediction of pressure distribution between the vocal folds using Bernoulli’s equation

Abstract

Determining the mechanisms of self-sustained oscillation of the vocal folds requires characterization of intraglottal aerodynamics. Since most of the intraglottal aerodynamics forces cannot be measured experimentally, most of the current understanding of vocal fold vibration mechanism is derived from analytical and computational models. Several of such studies have used the Bernoulli’s equation in order to calculate the pressure distribution between the vibrating folds. In the current study, intraglottal pressure measurements are taken in a hemilarynx model and are compared with pressure values that are computed form the Bernoulli’s equation. The hemilarynx model was made by removing one fold and having the remaining fold vibrating against a metal plate. The plate was equipped with two pressure ports located near the superior and inferior aspects of the fold. The results show that pressure calculated using Bernoulli’s equation matched well with the measured pressure waveform during the glottal opening phase and dissociated during the closing phase.