Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology of the Organs of Hearing, Vision, and Speech - Shvetsov A.G. 2006

Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology of Voice and Speech Production
Pathology of Voice Production
Pathology of the Respiratory Division of the Speech Apparatus

Pathology of the respiratory component of the speech apparatus is primarily associated with congenital and acquired Changes in the Airways, particularly in those sections involved in speech production (the Larynx, the vocal tract Organs). However, one cannot overlook the "respiratory" impact on speech sound production in individuals with severe respiratory insufficiency due to A wide variety of causes (status asthmaticus, lung injuries, etc.), even when the capacity for sound articulation remains fully intact.

Congenital Anomalies of the Upper Respiratory Tract are relatively rare and may present as partial or complete atresia (occlusion) of the nasal passages or choanae (the openings connecting the Nasal cavity with the Pharynx), which obstructs the passage of air into the nasal cavity. Anomalies that impair nasal breathing include: a deviated nasal septum, the sequelae of traumatic injuries to the nasal bones, foreign bodies (typically in children, and often remaining undiagnosed for a long time), acute rhinitis (common cold) accompanied by nasal congestion, chronic rhinitis (which frequently results in atrophic or hypertrophic changes in the nasal mucosa and lymphoid tissue, such as adenoid or tonsillar hypertrophy), nasal fibromas (polyps), soft palate paralysis, and others. However, these anomalies and pathologies do not affect phonation, as speech breathing is performed through the Mouth; nevertheless, they can impair the resonating function of the Nose (resulting in nasality, slurred speech, altered voice timbre, etc.).