vokaltrakt

Vokaltrakt (vocal tract) is the part of the human vocal apparatus that channels air from the lungs to the outside world and shapes the sound of speech and singing. It comprises the hollow cavities and spaces above the larynx, primarily the oral cavity, nasal cavity, and pharynx, and it acts as the main resonator for voiced sounds.

Anatomy and boundaries: The vocal tract extends from the lips to the larynx. The velum (soft palate) can close off the nasal cavity to produce oral sounds or lower to allow nasal resonance. Key articulators within the tract include the teeth, hard and soft palate, tongue, and lips, while the larynx provides the source of voiced sound via the vocal folds. The pharynx is divided into regions (nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx) and connects the oral and nasal cavities with the larynx.

Function and acoustics: The tract functions as an adjustable resonator. Its size and shape determine formant frequencies, which influence vowel quality and the production of many consonants. Changes in tongue position, jaw height, and lip rounding alter resonance and speech timbre. The tract can be studied in terms of its length and cross-sectional geometry, which affect acoustic characteristics such as formant spacing.

Variation and development: The vocal tract length and configuration vary between individuals and change with growth, age, and sex. Typical adult lengths range roughly from 12 to 18 centimeters. Differences in tract shape contribute to speaker-specific vowel qualities and can be observed in imaging and acoustic analyses.