PRESSURE AND FLOW MEASUREMENTS IN A DYNAMIC MECHANICAL MODEL OF THE LARYNX AND VOCAL TRACT

A dynamic mechanical model of the vocal folds and tract has been developed. The model has moving shutters representing the vocal folds, which intersect with a uniform rectangular duct representing the sub- and supra-glottal vocal tract. The dimensions of the model are those of a typical adult male and the shutters can be driven sinusoidally at frequencies up to 80 Hz. Duct-wall pressure measurements and velocity measurements obtained within the duct by a hotwire anemometer have been obtained. The development of the jet at the glottal exit is discussed for two different up-stream boundary conditions: with and without a large compliant volume representing the lungs