MRI & CT Studies of the Developing Vocal Tract

描述（由申请人提供）：出生后口腔和咽部结构及其各自的腔体（定义声道（VT））的生长导致尺寸、形状和相对比例的变化。虽然出生前和出生后的生长包括一个发展的连续体，目前的理论强烈关联的VT结构的出生后功能，以指导其生长，特别是在婴儿期和幼儿期。声学理论肯定了发育中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不足以详细解释这种关系，但我们的VT开发实验室自2000年以来已经取得了稳步进展，其使命是通过以下方式定量表征发育过程中喉上语音系统的性别特异性解剖学变化：i）建立一个独特的成像数据库，包括1116项MRI和CT研究，这些研究在整个生命周期内代表了两种性别。ii）编译一个大的测量集，其捕获整个寿命期间头部、面部和VT结构的同时生长;以及创建复合3D模型，其中保持选择的VT结构之间的空间关系，并且将从该复合3D模型获得关于关系生长的测量。（3）系统地描述VT结构的个体和关系增长（例如，Vorperian等人，1999年，2005年），并综合研究结果的声学输出的发展VT，特别是元音声学空间的发展（Vorperian和肯特，2007年）。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，以及VT建模，对喉上语音装置在整个生命周期中的发展进行了调查。本研究的目标是：（1）扩展成像和测量数据库，以包括发育中的病例，补充由结构的胚胎学起源指导的测量，以及捕获VT结构相关生长的额外信息的3D模型的测量。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)通过统计学表征典型和发育中个体的VT结构的性别特异性生长模型和生长类型，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)使用补充成像和声学反射数据来配置发育VT模型，并将模型计算的共振峰值与特定年龄的声学数据相关联，以推断VT声学特征与特定解剖结构的发育变化。这些发现将为VT结构从胚胎到老年的发展提供一个连贯和急需的画面。这些信息是基础的理论结构和临床应用在多个学科，处理颅面结构和功能。公共卫生相关性：成像和声学方法被用来提供详细的信息，口腔和咽部结构的结构发展在两个典型的和恶性发展的个人。来自两种性别的典型发育个体的解剖学数据将建立口腔和咽结构、沿着它们各自的腔和声道本身的生长的标准参考。这些信息对于许多临床学科是必不可少的，特别是那些与颅面异常有关的学科，这些学科与进食，吞咽，言语产生和呼吸等行为有关。此外，该信息可用于确定影响解剖学、生理学或声输出的发育变化的干预策略的功效。

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.