Summary
Three-dimensional (3D) computer models of the human larynx are useful tools for research
and for eventual clinical applications. Recently, computed tomography (CT) scanning
and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been used to recreate realistic models of
human larynx. In the present study, CT images were used to create computer models
of vocal folds, vocal tract, and laryngeal cartilages, and the procedure to create
solid models are explained in details. Vocal fold and vocal tract 3D models of healthy
and postsurgery larynges during phonation and respiration were created and morphometric
parameters were quantified. The laryngeal framework of eight patients was also reconstructed
from CT scan images. For each cartilage, morphometric landmarks were measured on the
basis of their importance for biomechanical modeling. A quantitative comparison was
made between measured values from the reconstructions and those from human excised
larynges in literature. The good agreement between these measurements supports the
accuracy of CT scan-based 3D models. Generic standard models of the laryngeal framework
were created using known features in modeling softwares. They were created based on
the morphometric landmark dimensions previously defined, preserving all biomechanically
important dimensions. These models are accessible, subject independent, easy to use
for computational simulations, and make the comparisons between different studies
possible.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 10, 2013
Accepted:
June 5,
2013
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
