Summary
Introduction
The upper esophageal sphincter (UES) has been reported to show activity during phonation.
As it is still unknown whether the phonation-induced UES contraction represents a
reflex or a simultaneous activation phenomenon, i.e. co-innervation, this study aims
to investigate and characterize the phonation-induced contraction of the UES in healthy
individuals by analyzing the influence of various phonation tasks on pressure parameters
of the UES.
Methods
Twenty-five healthy volunteers produced the German neutral vowel [ə] in five different
phonation tasks (modal voice, whispering, voiceless speech, creaky voice, and whispery
voice). Simultaneously, they underwent high resolution manometry and electroglottography
for measurement of pressure parameters in the region of the UES and latencies between
larynx and UES activation.
Results
During all types of phonation, the maximum pressures of the UES increased significantly
(maximum pressure increases of 72%-132%). With regard to mean pressures this was valid
for modal voice and whispering (mean pressure increases of 20%-25%). Differences concerning
total pressure changes reached statistical significance when comparing whispering
and voiceless speech as well as whispery voice. However, differences concerning the
total pressure change between modal voices on the one hand and voiceless speech and
whispery voice on the other hand turned out to be small. The averaged time delay between
larynx and UES activation ranged from approximately -15 ms (whispery voice) to +15
ms (whispering).
Conclusion
A phonation induced pressure increase of the UES was confirmed in this study and did
exist for different types of phonation. The extent of total pressure changes in the
UES increases in relation with laryngeal muscle activity necessary for the phonation
type. Next to varying effects of different types of phonation on UES activation, very
short latencies indicate that a phonation induced contraction of the UES exists most
likely due to co-innervation of UES and laryngeal muscles by the vagus nerve.
Key Words
Abbreviations:
UES (upper esophageal sphincter), HRM (high-resolution manometry), EGG (electroglottography)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 26, 2022
Accepted:
June 8,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2022 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
