From real-time MRI to 3D tongue movements

Real-time Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at 9 images/s of the midsagittal plane is used as input to a threedimensional tongue model, previously generated based on sustained articulations imaged with static MRI. The aim is two-fold, firstly to use articulatory inversion to extrapolate the midsagittal tongue movements to three-dimensional movements, secondly to determine the accuracy of the tongue model in replicating the real-time midsagittal tongue shapes. The evaluation of the inversion shows that the realtime midsagittal contour is reproduced with acceptable accuracy. This means that the 3D model can be used to represent real-time articulations, eventhough the artificially sustained articulations on which it was based were hyperarticulated and had a backward displacement of the tongue. 1