Question

(a) Phonatory system consists of the larynx. (b) Articulatory system consists of the pharynx.

Choose the correct option :

• A. Both (a) and (b) are true
• B. Both (a) and (b) are false
• C. (a) is true but (b) is false
• D. (a) is false but (b) is true

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Both (a) and (b) are true

Understanding the Human Speech Production System

• The production of human speech is a complex process involving multiple physiological systems working in coordination.
• It can be broadly categorized into three main stages: respiration (breathing), phonation (voice production), and articulation (sound shaping).

I. The Phonatory System: The Larynx

• The phonatory system is primarily responsible for the production of voice, which is the raw material for speech.
• The central component of the phonatory system is the larynx, commonly known as the voice box.
• The larynx is a cartilaginous structure located in the neck, at the top of the trachea (windpipe).
• Inside the larynx are the vocal cords (also known as vocal folds), which are two bands of smooth muscle tissue.
• During phonation, air from the lungs passes through the vocal cords, causing them to vibrate. This vibration creates the sound waves that constitute our voice. The frequency of these vibrations determines the pitch of the voice.

II. The Articulatory System: The Pharynx and Beyond

• The articulatory system is responsible for modifying the basic sound produced by the phonatory system into distinct speech sounds (phonemes).
• This system involves various organs, known as articulators, which manipulate the airflow and shape the vocal tract.
• The pharynx, or throat, is a crucial part of the articulatory system. It is a muscular tube extending from the base of the skull to the esophagus.
• The pharynx acts as a primary resonating cavity, modifying the sound produced by the larynx before it reaches the oral and nasal cavities. Its shape and size can change to influence the quality of the sound.
• Other key articulators include the:
  • Tongue: The most mobile and versatile articulator, capable of many positions and shapes.
  • Lips: Involved in sounds like /p/, /b/, /m/, /f/, /v/, /w/.
  • Teeth: Used in sounds like /f/, /v/, /th/.
  • Alveolar Ridge: The ridge behind the upper front teeth, important for sounds like /t/, /d/, /n/, /s/, /z/, /l/, /r/.
  • Hard Palate: The bony roof of the mouth.
  • Soft Palate (Velum): The soft, fleshy part at the back of the roof of the mouth, which controls the passage of air into the nasal cavity.
• The coordinated movement of these articulators shapes the sound waves into specific vowels and consonants.

III. Interconnection for Speech

• For speech to occur, the respiratory system provides the airflow, the phonatory system generates the initial sound, and the articulatory system modifies and shapes this sound into recognizable speech.
• Therefore, both the larynx (as part of the phonatory system) and the pharynx (as part of the articulatory system) are fundamental components in the human ability to produce speech.