MRI & CT Studies of the Developing Vocal Tract

描述（由申请人提供）：口腔和咽结构及其各自的腔（定义声道（VT））的出生后生长需要大小，形状和相对比例的变化。虽然产前和产后的生长构成了一个发育连续体，但目前的理论强烈地将产后室室结构的功能与指导其生长联系起来，特别是在婴儿期和幼儿期。声学理论证实了发育中的VT的解剖结构与发育过程中观察到的语音频谱之间的关系。然而，尽管现有的解剖学信息仍然不足以详细解释这种关系，我们的VT发展实验室自2000年以来已经取得了稳步的进展，其使命是定量表征发育过程中喉上语音系统的性别特异性解剖变化：i)建立了一个独特的成像数据库，包括1116个具有代表性的男性和女性的MRI和CT研究。ii)编制大量的测量数据，捕捉头部、面部和VT结构在整个生命周期中同时生长的情况；并创建复合3D模型，其中所选VT结构之间的空间关系得到维护，并从中获得关系增长的测量。iii)系统地描述单个和相关的VT结构的成长（例如，Vorperian et al. 1999,2005），并综合关于发育中的VT的声学输出的发现，特别是元音声学空间的发展（Vorperian & Kent, 2007）。该项目结合了成像、语音声学分析、声反射或声咽测量数据，以及喉上语音设备在整个生命周期中发展的VT建模研究。本研究的目标是：(1)扩展成像和测量数据库，以包括非典型发展病例，补充以胚胎学结构起源为指导的测量，以及从3D模型中捕获有关VT结构相关生长的额外信息的测量。此外，为了确保语音记录和声学咽测量数据主要来自将被成像的个人。(2)通过统计典型和非典型发育个体的性别特异性生长模型和室室结构的生长类型，评估解剖-声学关系和结构/功能相互作用的观点；并评估其相对和相关生长，同时考虑结构的组织类型（骨、软、软骨和腔）、胚胎起源、生长平面和/或功能用途。(3)利用互补成像和声反射数据配置发育型VT模型，并将模型计算的形成峰值与年龄特异性声学数据相关联，推断特定解剖结构发育变化的VT声学特征。研究结果将提供一个连贯的和迫切需要的图像室室结构的发展，从胚胎到老年。这些信息是颅面结构和功能多学科理论建构和临床应用的基础。公共卫生相关性：影像学和声学方法用于提供典型和非典型发育个体口腔和咽结构发育的详细信息。来自典型发育的两性个体的解剖数据将为口腔和咽结构的生长以及各自的腔和声道本身建立规范性参考。这一信息对于许多临床学科——特别是那些与颅面异常有关的学科——是必不可少的，有价值的，这些学科与进食、吞咽、语言产生和呼吸等行为有关。此外，该信息可用于确定影响解剖、生理或声输出发育变化的干预策略的有效性。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The postnatal growth of the oral and pharyngeal structures and their respective cavities - that define the vocal tract (VT) - entails changes in size, shape, and relative proportions. While prenatal and postnatal growth comprise a developmental continuum, current theory strongly associates the postnatal functions of the VT structures to guide its growth, particularly during infancy and early childhood. Acoustic theory affirms a relationship between the anatomy of the developing VT and the spectrum of speech sounds observed during development. However, although the available anatomic information remains inadequate to explain this relationship in detail, our VT Development Lab has made steady progress since 2000 towards its mission to quantitatively characterize sex-specific anatomic changes of the supralaryngeal speech system during development by: i) Establishing a unique imaging database consisting of 1116 MRI and CT studies across the lifespan that is representative of both sexes. ii) Compiling a large set of measurements that capture the concurrent growth of the head, face and VT structures throughout the lifespan; and creating composite 3D models where the spatial relation between select VT structures is maintained and from which measurements on relational growth will be secured. iii) Characterizing systematically the individual and relational growth of VT structures (ex. Vorperian et al. 1999, 2005), and synthesizing findings on the acoustic output of the developing VT, specifically the development of vowel acoustic space (Vorperian & Kent, 2007). This proposed project combines imaging, acoustic analysis of speech, acoustic reflection or acoustic pharyngometry data, and VT modeling in an investigation on the development of the supra-laryngeal speech apparatus throughout the lifespan. The goals of this proposed research are to: (1) Expand the imaging and the measurements databases to include atypically developing cases, supplement measurements that are guided by embryologic origin of structures, and measurements from 3D models that capture additional information on the relational growth of VT structures. Also, to secure speech recordings and acoustic pharyngometry data mostly from individuals who will be imaged. (2) Assess perspectives on anatomic- acoustic relationships and structure/function interaction by statistically characterizing sex specific growth models and growth type of the VT structures in typically and atypically developing individuals; and assess their relative and relational growth while taking into account the structures' tissue type (bony, soft, cartilage and cavity), embryologic origin, plane of growth, and/or functional use. (3) Use complementary imaging and acoustic reflection data to configure developmental VT models and correlate model computed formant values with age specific acoustic data to make inferences regarding VT acoustic characteristics to developmental changes of specific anatomic structures. The findings will provide a coherent and much needed picture on the development of VT structures from embryo to geriatrics. Such information is foundational for both theoretical constructs and clinical application in multiple disciplines that deal with craniofacial structures and functions. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Imaging and acoustic methods are used to provide detailed information on the structural development of the oral and pharyngeal structures in both typically and atypically developing individuals. Anatomic data from typically developing individuals of both sexes will establish normative references for the growth of the oral and pharyngeal structures, along with their respective cavities and the vocal tract itself. This information is essential and valuable to a number of clinical disciplines - particularly those concerned with craniofacial anomalies - that are concerned with behaviors such as feeding, swallowing, speech production, and respiration. In addition, this information can be used to determine the efficacy of intervention strategies that effect developmental changes in anatomy, physiology, or acoustic output.