Phonation is a complex process requiring the controlled exhalation of air through the larynx. Within the larynx there is a specialist tissue structure known as the vocal folds, which under muscular control captures energy within the airflow and transfers it to a dynamic phenomena, analogous to a static fluid wave, known as the mucosal wave. This mucosal wave causes the vocal folds to open and close rhythmically, thus modulating the airflow, which can then be manipulated in the vocal tract to create the sounds that we know as speech. The purpose of the research detailed in this thesis is the quantification of the biomechanical properties of the vocal folds. There is a major gap in knowledge relating to the elastic properties of the vocal fold as the only reliable apparatus available to determine these properties rely on dissecting the tissue out of anatomical context. The author's research is dedicated to developing methods to measure these properties from intact larynges, and from patients in vivo. This is to enable a better understanding of how this complex tissue structure works; to assist with the derivation of mathematical models of phonation; and to provide methods to assess objectively the effectiveness of tissue engineering therapies used to repair scarred vocal folds.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:502514 |
| Date | January 2008 |
| Creators | Goodyer, Eric N. |
| Publisher | De Montfort University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
Page generated in 0.0019 seconds