Articulatsioonisüsteemi

Articulatsioonisüsteemi, also known as the speech or vocal apparatus, is the complex biological system responsible for producing human speech. It comprises several key components working in coordination to generate and modulate sound. The primary organs involved include the lungs, which provide the airflow necessary for sound production; the larynx, containing the vocal cords that vibrate to create the fundamental voice pitch; and the pharynx, a muscular tube that acts as a resonating chamber.

Above the pharynx, the oral cavity and nasal cavity further modify the sound. The articulators within the oral cavity are crucial for shaping specific speech sounds. These include the tongue, which can move in numerous ways to alter the shape of the mouth and direct airflow; the lips, which can be rounded, spread, or pressed together; the teeth, which the tongue can interact with; and the alveolar ridge and palate, which the tongue can touch or approach. The velum, or soft palate, can also be raised or lowered, controlling whether air passes through the nasal cavity or only the mouth, thus distinguishing between oral and nasal sounds.

The coordinated action of these structures, controlled by the nervous system, allows for the vast range of sounds and intonations that constitute human language. Damage or dysfunction within any part of the articulatsioonisüsteemi can lead to speech impairments.