MRI & CT Studies of the Developing Vocal Tract

I.项目概要/摘要： 出生后口腔和咽部结构及其各自的腔的生长， 声道（VT）-需要改变大小、形状和相对比例。在产前和产后 生长包括一个发展的连续体，目前的理论强烈关联的产后功能， VT结构，以指导其成长，特别是在婴儿期和幼儿期。声学理论肯定了 发展中VT的解剖结构与在过程中观察到的语音频谱之间的关系 发展然而，尽管现有的解剖学信息仍然不足以解释这一点， 我们的VT开发实验室自2000年以来，在实现其使命方面取得了稳步进展， 定量表征性别特异性解剖变化的喉上语音系统， i）建立一个独特的成像数据库，包括1116项MRI和CT研究， 代表两性的寿命。（二）编制一套大型测量数据， 在整个生命周期中，头部、面部和VT结构的同时生长;以及创建复合3D 模型，其中保持选择VT结构之间的空间关系，并且从该模型测量 关系增长将得到保障。（三）系统地描述个人和关系的成长， VT结构（例如，Vorperian等人，1999年，2005年），并综合研究结果的声输出的 发展VT，特别是元音声学空间的发展（Vorperian &肯特，2007）。 该项目结合了成像，语音声学分析，声学反射或声学 咽测量数据和VT建模在喉上语音发展的研究中的应用 在整个生命周期中的设备。本研究的目标是：（1）扩大成像和 测量数据库，以包括临床发展的情况下，补充测量， 由结构的胚胎学起源指导，并从3D模型中测量， 关于VT结构的关系增长的信息。此外，为了确保语音录音和声学 咽测量数据主要来自将被成像的个体。(2)评估解剖学的前景- 通过统计学表征性别特异性生长的声学关系和结构/功能相互作用 典型和发育中个体VT结构的模型和生长类型;并评估 它们的相对和相关生长，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)使用互补成像， 声学反射数据，以配置开发VT模型并关联模型计算的共振峰值 与年龄特定的声学数据，以作出关于VT声学特征的推断，以发展 特定解剖结构的变化。调查结果将提供一个连贯和急需的图片， VT结构从胚胎到老年的发展。这些信息是理论和实践的基础。 结构和临床应用的多学科处理颅面结构和功能。

I. Project Summary/Abstract: 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.