Quiz 5 - Articulators

Intrinsic muscles in the tongue run in 3 directions. What are they?

Transverse, longitudinal, and vertical.

Give an example of how articulator interconnections can be problematic for singers.

Naturally, when we raise the soft palate, the larynx raises as well. We need to learn to raise the soft palate without raising the larynx for a free and loose vocal tract.

The root of the tongue muscles are all attached to what hard structure.

The hyoid bone.

Explain the non singing function of the pharyngeal muscles.

To get food down the pharynx and into the stomach.

How does the answer to #5 primarily impact singing?

They are strong constricting and contracting muscles which a singer must learn to release and keep from contracting.

Most vocal faults involving the pharynx require what instruction?

Relaxing the constrictors.

Hypofunction in palatal muscles actually leads to what kind of vocal fault that is noticeable in vocal resonance.

Nasality.

Give two examples of consonants that would be affected by malfunctioning palatal musculature?

[m] and [n]

Jaw closing muscles attach to what two hard structures?

Skull and mandible.

Name the two jaw closing muscles.

Temporalis muscle and the masseter muscle.

Why is the jaw naturally kept closed most of the time?

To make sure the air goes through the nose so it can be filtered, warmed, and humidified.

Please explain the primary cause of jaw tension.

Can be hyperfunctional and overpower the openers with uneven antagonism.

Explain how antagonism between the jaw closers and openers can cause laryngeal elevation.

The closers are stronger than the openers, so the hyoid bone, floating unattached to hard structures, can be lifted by the openers if working against the overpowered strength of the closers.

Please give an example of articulatory muscle associations that singers need to learn to uncouple.

Dropping jaw and lowering the lip is problematic because it makes the sound too dark and creates tension. We must learn to keep the lip up while letting the jaw relax.

What facial muscles are important for articulation?

Lips, cheeks, undereye.

Name the five primary structures that are interconnected by muscles of the articulatory system.

Pharynx, tongue, jaw, larynx, and hyoid.

T or F? Formants are not dependent on where the tongue is placed.

False. Formants are dependent on where the tongue is placed.

T or F? The temporo-mandibular joint both rotates and slides.

True.

T or F? Jaw closing muscles are much weaker than jaw opening muscles.

False. Jaw closing muscles are much stronger than jaw opening muscles.

T or F? The soft palate lowers for swallowing.

False. The soft palate raises for swallowing.

T or F? Jaw tension is often a result of muscle antagonism.

True.

T or F? Facial muscles exert a lot of influence on the vocal mechanism.

False. Facial muscles exert little influence on the vocal mechanism.

T or F? Muscles that open the jaw are attached to the hyoid bone.

True.

T or F? The muscles that close the jaw are more powerful that those that open it.

True.

T or F? Lifting cheeks or flaring nostrils are directly responsible for lifting the palate.

False. Lifting cheeks or flaring nostrils are NOT directly responsible for lifting the palate.

T or F? The soft palate can only be lifted a few centimeters.

True.