3D analysis of the movements of the laryngeal cartilages during singing

Abstract

4. Laryngoscope, 127:1639-1643, 2017.

Cricothyroid joint type as predictor for vocal fold elongation in professional singers

“…The singers were asked at which pitch they usually changed registers from M1 to M2 and to state the highest note that they could sing in M1. Exclusion criteria were pregnancy (because they had to undergo HRCT), a Singing Voice Handicap Index of more than 17 points, or hidden laryngeal pathologies revealed by videolaryngostroboscopy …”

“…The image acquisition time was 10 to 12 seconds for the first scan and 7 to 9 seconds each for second and third scans. No singer experienced any difficulty maintaining a steady tone for this time …”

“…The level of the vocal pitch can be influenced by the shape of the resonance space and the relative height of the larynx within the pharynx, as well as by specific vocal fold properties and adjustments that influence the frequency of vibration, such as stiffening, relaxation, and elongation. Our previous studies have shown that vocal pitch is first increased by elongation of the vocal fold through the cricothyroid muscle (CTM), which causes a backward tilting of the cricoid; and then by stretching of the vocal fold through the lateral cricoarytenoid muscle (LCAM), which leads to inferior displacement of the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilage …”

“…In a recent study of 48 singers, Unteregger showed that, regardless of CTJ type, elongation and tensioning of the vocal folds from the mean speaking fundamental frequency (F0) to the first octave (F1) occur by CTM activation, and that from the first to second octave (F2), elongation and tensioning occur by activation of both the LCAM and TAM. At first glance, these results are in contrast with the cadaver studies.…”

“…The aim of this study is to specifically assess the impact of CTJ type on vocal fold elongation in order to deepen the understanding of both the laryngeal biomechanics and laryngeal functionality. In the current work, we used 3D imaging of the laryngeal cartilages (N = 49) derived from high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans obtained while a vovel was sung (most frequently an /a/), a noninvasive technique that we previously used successfully in studies of various aspects of laryngeal biomechanics . Based on the scans, we assessed both the position and movement of the laryngeal cartilages.…”