Human phonatory apparatus: what it is, parts and functions

Let's see what are the characteristics of the human phonatory apparatus, and how it makes speech possible.

Broadly speaking, we could define language as a structured communication system for which there is a context for its use and certain formal principles on which it is based. Humans articulate, on average, about 18,500 words a day (27,000 in women and 10,000 in men), so conceiving of our species' society and responses without voice and listening is a virtually impossible task.

In any case, before entering the world of human phonation, it is essential to emphasize that communication is not exclusive to Homo sapiens. Zoosemiotics refutes this anthropocentric preconception, since it studies the methods used by other animals to communicate with each other. However, all other living beings do not use words: they base their communication on chemical, acoustic, visual signals, vibrations, electrical impulses and even physical dances. When words are not an option, natural selection looks for other equally effective methods.

Speaking of communication and language, it is impossible not to think about what produces it, beyond the social and evolutionary bases on which it is based. Today we come to tell you all about the phonatory apparatus and, by the way, we explain how human communication differs from that of the rest of the species on the planet.

What is human language?

A language is a communication system. You and I, as members of the same species, transmit ideas and perceptions to each other through linguistic signs (written and articulated words), but not everything is communicated through phonation.

For example, you may be surprised to learn that studies exploring the ability of human beings to transmit concepts put much more emphasis on how things are said than on the words that are actually spoken. According to various scientific publications, 55% of communication in humans is due to body language, 38% involves tone of voice and only the remaining 7% of content is locked into the words that are actually being spoken.

Thus, the importance of the phonatory apparatus lies not only in the words articulated, but also in the tone of the message and the action of the accompanying facial musculature.. After all, we are still animals, aren't we? On the other hand, there are certain elements that set human language apart from that presented by other species. These are the following:

• Human beings have double articulation. Words and phonemes are two different things, since the latter have no meaning of their own.
• The signals of communication systems in all other animals are usually produced only in response to external stimuli. This is not the case in humans.
• Other animals cannot refer to past facts and events. Their language is purely immediate.
• Animal communication systems are not usually learned. In most cases they are innate and are encoded in the genetic imprint of the organism.
• Human language is creative, as new signals are continuously created by mixing persistent elements.

We distinguish ourselves from other living animals on the basis of many concepts, but in many others we cannot help but realize that, however rational we may be, intrinsic and subconscious elements continue to dominate our daily lives. Having explored this interesting terrain, we are ready to talk to you, briefly, about the characteristics of the human phonatory apparatus.

What is the human vocal apparatus?

The phonatory apparatus refers to the set of organs in the human body responsible for generating (and amplifying) the sound produced when speaking.. It is necessary to emphasize that almost none of these structures is designed only for this task, since they fulfill another essential function for the metabolism and survival of the human being. For example, the primary function of the larynx is to prevent water and solid food from entering the lungs, but it is also essential to understand phonation in our species.

Thus, we cannot conceive of the phonatory apparatus as a set of organs solely focused on speech. They are also basic to the respiratory and digestive apparatus, for example, by participating in swallowing and the respiratory mechanism.

Parts of the phonatory apparatus

We are not going to dwell on the exact physiology of each structure involved in speech, but we can divide this complex system into different blocks. Let's get to it.

1. Respiratory mechanism

The human voice is a rigid sound that, in essence, is air coming out of the lungs. Therefore, the same organs that allow you to breathe are the same organs that allow you to breathe, the same organs that allow you to breathe are the ones that enable you to speak, including the lungs, diaphragm, intercostal muscles, bronchi and trachea, among others..

From a technical point of view, these elements are known as "infraglottic cavities". They provide the air necessary to produce speech sounds (energy generation) and are also responsible for the intensity of the voice and the duration of the tones generated. Without inspiration and aspiration, the mechanism of human communication would be practically impossible to conceive.

2. Phonatory mechanism

The larynx and vocal cords are the structures specialized in the production of sounds in humans. The set of areas in charge of producing words is known as the "glottic cavity" and includes the larynx, the vocal folds, the glottis and the epiglottis..

When these organs are together, the airflow from the lungs during expiration sets them into vibration, which actually generates phonation and voice production. The vocal folds vibrate, giving rise to an audible sound wave, while the vocal folds are responsible for generating the tone.

Resonance mechanism

Up to this point, what is generated is a basic sound. That exhaled air and the sound wave produced is missing "something", because there is a world of difference between a guttural sound and an intoned melody. This is where the supraglottic cavities or resonance mechanisms come into play, which include the pharyngeal, oral, nasal and labial cavities..

As their name suggests, these structures are responsible for amplifying and modulating the sound produced. They act, as a whole, as a filter: they amplify or attenuate certain components of the sound wave generated in the larynx and modify the quality of the sound.

4. Articulation mechanisms

Last (but not least), we have the articulating organs, located in the supraglottic cavity, that is, the palate, the tongue, the teeth, the lips and all those structures that help us to outline and emit the sound. help us to outline and emit the sounds in the most correct way possible..

Perhaps the most important structure of all as far as articulation is concerned is the tongue. It is by far the most flexible articulator (it is involved in the production of most sounds) and, therefore, in the study of human phonetics, different lingual parts are distinguished in order to understand the patient's speech. Its areas of greatest sensitivity are located in the anterior part.

Yes, you read that right, the teeth are also included in this conglomerate. Surprising as it may seem, the incisors, based on a 100% workload, perform 20% of the chewing, while the remaining 80% corresponds to the phonatory and esthetic functionality of the individual.. Thus, in many cases, orthodontics is not only intended to beautify the patient, but also to help him or her to improve speech.

Summary

The study of language in human beings is truly fascinating, since there are so many parameters that distance us from other living beings as well as subconscious mechanisms that bring us closer to the most natural and intrinsic part of our species. Language is not reduced only to speech, since, as we have said, expression and tonality are more important than the articulated message itself in most cases.

In spite of this, the human phonatory apparatus is still a true work of Biological engineering. It is based on the use of structures: although they were not initially there for the purpose of speaking (but probably for breathing and swallowing), they have evolved along with society to transmit in the simplest and most effective way the whole range of sounds in the form of words that we know today.

Bibliographical references:

• The phonatory apparatus, virtuniversidad.com. Retrieved February 11 from https://www.virtuniversidad.com/greenstone/collect/ingles/import/CuatrimestreV/Fon%C3%A9tica%20y%20Fonolog%C3%ADa%20%20I/Aparato%20fonador.pdf.
• Morante, M. D. C. E. (2001). The voice: a resource for education, rehabilitation and therapy in the human being. Revista interuniversitaria de formación del profesorado, (42)Torres, J. L. F. (1990). paleoanthropology, neurobiology and linguistics: strategies for studying the evolution of human language. Bulletin of American Anthropology, (21), 161-171., 67-75.
• Torres, B. (2007). Functional anatomy of the voice. Chapter 1 of the book: Singing Medicine. URL: http://www. medicinadelcant. com/cast/llibre. htm#.
• Torres Gallardo, B. (2013). The voice and our body. Journal of Research in Vocal Technique, 1.