• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.98-111
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• 2004

Background and Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the difference of Fundamental Frequency(Hz), Closed Quotient(Qx ; %), Intensity(dB), Vocal tract length and width(cm), formant frequency(Hz), level of formant frequency(dB) depending on the larynx position. Materials and Methods : One professional male singer(career : 28 years) produced sustained vowel /a/,/e/,/i/,/o/,/u/ in two larynx position (higher, lower) with Dr. Speech and video fluoroscopy was used to quantify the vocal tract morphology. Results : In lower larynx position, CQ is increased 9.8% and Intensity is increased about 10% and level of Formant Frequency is increased. And also Vocal tract length is longer 2.4cm, Vocal tract width(Anterior width : 0.4cm, lateral width : 0.2cm) is wider than in higher larynx position. Conclusions : Singer's formant has a prominent spectrum envelope peak near 2400-2600Hz by clustering of F3, F4 and F5 near 3400Hz in lower larynx position.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.79-85
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• 1998

Changes in the human voice occur between infancy and old age and reflect a myriad of biological changes that influence the size, shape, and physical properties of the larynx. The human larynx is located near the base of the neck and attached inferiorly to the trachea and opens superiorly into the pharynx. The larynx by the third month of fetal life has the same features recognizable at birth. The fundamental frequency of vocal fold vibration generally becomes higher in early age, lower in middle age, and higher in old age. These decreases in Fo undoubtedly result from a combination of factors, consisting of modest increase in length and mass of the muscle and connective tissues of the vocal fold. But the level of the larynx in the neck may be closely connected with Fo directly, high larynx in related with high pitch and low larynx with low pitch. The purpose of this study is to determine the developmental level difference from child to adult larynx using conventional radiography, and the change of speaking fundamental frequency from second decade to sixth decade.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.55-65
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• 2022

This study aimed to compare acoustic measurements by the high, middle, and low laryngeal heights of male musical theater students. Furthermore, the correlation between the relative height of the larynx and the acoustic measurements was examined, along with the predictability of the relative height (vertical position) of the larynx from acoustic measurements. The participants included five male students majoring in musical theater singing, and acoustic analysis was performed by having them produce the /a/ vowel 10 times each at the laryngeal positions of high, middle, and low. The relative vertical positions of the laryngeal prominence in each position were measured based on the resting position. Results indicated that the relative position of the larynx varied significantly according to laryngeal height, such that as the larynx descended, the first three formant frequencies decreased while the spectral energy at the same frequencies increased. Formant frequencies showed a weak to moderate positive correlation with the relative height of the larynx, while the spectral energy showed a moderate negative correlation. The relative height of the larynx was predicted by eight acoustic measures (adjusted R² = .829). In conclusion, the predictability of the relative height of the larynx was partially confirmed in a non-invasive manner.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1983.05a
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• pp.10.4-11
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• 1983

Viewing the larynx as a part of a thorough physical examination has been universally recommended but yet largely ignored. To see the larynx in its hidden anatomic position, it has been necessary to use an angled laryngeal mirror and an indirect light source, a technique requiring training, artistry and patience. We explored the concept of using a suitable right angle endoscopic laryngoscope as a tool in the out patient department, to replace the unused mirror, in a series of trials during 5 years. The whole procedure takes approximately one minute. It is simple, requires no anesthesia and the larynx and its surrounding structures clearly into view. We were able to record by Camera film and compare with before and after treatment. So we report them with literature review.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.134-142
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim is to study the dependence of deformable based auto-segmentation of head and neck organs-at-risks (OAR) on anatomy matching for a single atlas based system and generate an acceptable set of contours. Methods: A sample of ten patients in neutral neck position and three atlas sets consisting of ten patients each in different head and neck positions were utilized to generate three scenarios representing poor, average and perfect anatomy matching respectively and auto-segmentation was carried out for each scenario. Brainstem, larynx, mandible, cervical oesophagus, oral cavity, pharyngeal muscles, parotids, spinal cord, and trachea were the structures selected for the study. Automatic and oncologist reference contours were compared using the dice similarity index (DSI), Hausdroff distance and variation in the centre of mass (COM). Results: The mean DSI scores for brainstem was good irrespective of the anatomy matching scenarios. The scores for mandible, oral cavity, larynx, parotids, spinal cord, and trachea were unacceptable with poor matching but improved with enhanced bony matching whereas cervical oesophagus and pharyngeal muscles had less than acceptable scores for even perfect matching scenario. HD value and variation in COM decreased with better matching for all the structures. Conclusion: Improved anatomy matching resulted in better segmentation. At least a similar setup can help generate an acceptable set of automatic contours in systems employing single atlas method. Automatic contours from average matching scenario were acceptable for most structures. Importance should be given to head and neck position during atlas generation for a single atlas based system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.59-63
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• 2022

The laryngeal framework surgery (LFS) is an operation to correct the position and tension of the vocal cords by changing the laryngeal cartilage and muscles. LFS such as type 1 thyroplasty, arytenoid adduction, and arytenopexy is performed to improve the voice of patients with unilateral vocal cord paralysis. It is known that the voice improvement effect of LFS in patients with unilateral vocal cord paralysis is excellent and lasts for a long time. LFS can also be operated under local anesthesia. Complications are not common, however, severe complications like airway obstruction could occur after the operation. Recently, several other attempts to modify the traditional surgical method have been reported. This review is intended to be helpful in understanding the characteristics and changes in laryngeal framework surgery.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1982.05a
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• pp.6.1-6
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• 1982

Papilloma is the common benign tumor of the larynx and the incidence of its malignant change was variable. The authors recently experienced 2 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx which were considered to be transformed from laryngeal papilloma. Case 1. A 58 year old male patient visited O.P.D. of Department of Otolaryngology of Busan National University Hospital, because of hoarseness for 3 years on May 13th, 1980. At that time, local finding of indirect laryngoscopy revealed whitish hypertrophic papillomatous mass on both vocal cords and anterior commissure, and dirty gray white pseudomembrane on left aryepiglottic fold, and the result of biopsy was squamous cell papilloma. So the laryngeal papilloma was removed under suspension laryngoscopy and then he had no specific treatment in spite of being recommended 5-FU topical spray. On March 5th, 1981, he visited O.P.D. again because of progressive exacerbation of hoarseness with mild dyspnea and histopathological finding was revealed squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. Seven days later from that day, he visited emergency room due to severe dyspnea, and emergency tracheostomy was performed on sitting position. On April 7th 1981, total laryngectomy was performed successfully and postoperative irradiation therapy was recommended. Case 2. A 47 year old male patient visited our O.P.D. because of hoarseness for 5 years on Sep. 27, 1978. At that time, local finding of indirect laryngoscopy revealed papillomatous mass on left vocal cord and left ventricle and result of biopsy was squamous cell papilloma. So he had been treated with 11 times removal of papilloma, topical spray of 5-Fu and estrogen for 3 years, but the papilloma had been recurred. On Sep. 9th, 1981, he visited O.P.D. because of severe dyspnea and emergency tracheostomy and biopsy was performed. The result of biopsy was squamous cell carcinoma of larynx and total laryngectomy was performed successfully.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.49-53
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• 2017

Formant frequencies depend on the position of tongue, the shape of lips, and larynx. In the auditory system, the external ear canal is an open-end resonator, which can modify the voice characteristics. This study investigates the effect of the real ear on formant frequencies. Fifteen subjects ranging from 22 to 30 years of age participated in the study. This study employed three corner vowels: the low central vowel /a/, the high front vowel /i/, and the high back vowel /u/. For this study, the voice of a well-educated undergraduate who majored in speech-language pathology, was recorded with a high performance condenser microphone placed in the upper pinna and in the ear canal. Paired t-test showed that there were significant difference in the formant frequencies of F1, F2, F3, and F4 between the free field and the real ear. For /a/, all formant frequencies decreased significantly in the real ear. For /i/, F2 increased and F3 and F4 decreased. For /u/, F1 and F2 increased, but F3 and F4 decreased. It seems that these voice modifications in the real ear contribute to interpreting voice quality and understanding speech, timbre, and individual characteristics, which are influenced by the shape of the outer ear and external ear canal in such a way that formant frequencies become centralized in the vowel space.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 2017

Background and Objectives : The purpose of this study was to classify patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis according to their fixed location and to analysis the effects of two treatment methods by early voice therapy and injection laryngoplasty. Materials and Methods : Twenty patients who were classified as full abduction and slight abduction according to the position of paralysis were treated injection laryngoplasy, and 23 patients were treated by voice therapy. Twenty patients were treated injection laryngoplasy and 23 patients were treated voice therapy. Results were evaluated by acoustic analysis, electroglottography, cepstrum analysis before and after therapy. The voice therapy was conducted by improving the larynx movement and glottal contact, whilst removing hypertension of the supraglottic and use the breathing. Results : Significant improvement was found in the acoustic parameter, cepstrum parameter, and EGG before and after treatment in both groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups when compared before and after treatment to compare the effects of injection laryngoplasty and voice therapy. Conclusion : The initial treatments for unilateral vocal cord paralysis are injection laryngoplasty and voice therapy. however, there is no precise standard about which method should be applied first. Therefore, in this study, we tried to classify patients according to their paralysis position and then apply two methods. The results of this study suggest that voice therapy and Injection laryngoplasty at the initial stage is a very useful method to improve voice quality of vocal fold paralysis and improve laryngeal function.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.14-16
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• 2006

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the change of vocal tract length according to the level of the pitch by the singers. Materials and Methods: Fifteen tenors were asked to produce successive /a/ sound in G4(382Hz) for the head register, C3(131Hz) for the chest register and usual speaking sound. The control group consisted of 15 males of an similar age who are not professional singers. The length of vocal tract was calculated by applying the formula of Fn=(2n-1) c/4L(F : formant frequency, c : the speed of sound in the vocal tract(350m/sec), L : length of vocal tract, $n=1,2,3,4,{\ldots}{\infty}$). Results: In singer's group, there showed no significant statistical difference of length among head and chest register and usual speaking sound. However in the control group, there showed statistically significant difference of length. Comparison of the absolute difference in the length of vocal tract by changing level of pitch in phonation, between the control group and the singers group. Changing from G4 phonation to C3 phonation and C3 phonation to usual speaking sound showed statistically difference of vocal tract length was less in the singers group than the control group. Conclusion: The change of vocal tract length, in either speaking or singing, was less in singers than the control group. We could assume that the singers maintain their larynx position constantly throughout the pitch range when phonation.