Term 1

Alveoli

Definition 1

tiny air sacs in the lungs that conduct the air to the bloodstream. Upon inhalation, oxygen enters the bloodstream; during exhalation, carbon dioxide is released fro the bloodstream through the alveoli

Term 2

Articulation

Definition 2

The production of sounds - namely, vowels, diphthongs, and consonants

Term 3

Breathiness

Definition 3

A vocal quality characterized by the release of excessive breath because the vocal folds are not brought closely enough together during phonation; also caused by lack of breath support
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Term 4

Bronchioles

Definition 4

Small branches at the end of the bronchi.

Term 5

Bronchus

Definition 5

One of the two tubular divisions of the trachea

Term 6

Career Speech

Definition 6

Voice and speech that are of professional quality; trained speech
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Term 7

Career Voice

Definition 7

Term 8

Cartilage

Definition 8

A tough, white fibrous tissue attached to the surfaces of bones

Term 9

Clavicular Breathing

Definition 9

Respiration in which the upper chest and shoulders are elevated and lowered; named for the clavicles
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Term 10

Consonants

Definition 10

A speech sound produced when the flow of breath is stopped either partially or totally by the articulatory organs and is then released. The consonants give spoken language clarity.

Term 11

Conversational Speech

Definition 11

Speech habits learned through observation, informal speech

Term 12

Diaphragm

Definition 12

A double, dome-shaped muscle of respiration that forms the floor of the thorax and the ceiling of the abdomen the most important muscle used in abdominal breathing.
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Term 13

Diaphragmatic Breathing

Definition 13

Respiration in which the muscles of the abdomen, including the diaphragm, are used; the preferred form of breathing for speech. In addition, diaphragmatic breathing involves lateral movement of the lower ribs

Term 14

Epiglottis

Definition 14

The spoon- or leaf-shaped cartilage of the larynx

Term 15

Exhalation

Definition 15

That part of the breathing process in which carbon dioxide is expelled from the lungs
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Term 16

Glottis

Definition 16

The space between the true vocal folds.

Term 17

Habitual Pitch

Definition 17

(Modal Pitch) The pitch that you use most frequently

Term 18

Hyoid Bone

Definition 18

The small bone from which the larynx is suspended
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Term 19

Inflection

Definition 19

A vocal technique that brings attention to thoughts and ideas through variation of pitch. These changes of stress, tempo, and pitch occur without speech interruption and support, enhance, reflect, and amplify meaning.

Term 20

Inhalation

Definition 20

The initial part of the breathing process in which oxygen rushes into the lungs in order to equalize the atmospheric pressure.

Term 21

International Phonetic Alphabet

Definition 21

An alphabet of visual symbols that represent sounds.
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Term 22

Laryngectomy

Definition 22

The surgical removal of the larynx

Term 23

Larynx

Definition 23

Commonly called the voice box, it is located at the top of the trachea and houses and protects the vocal folds. It is composed of five major cartilaginous structures and muscles, including the vocal folds

Term 24

Loudness

Definition 24

The perception of the intensity or expansiveness of sound vibrations; volume
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Term 25

Lungs

Definition 25

A pair of thoracic organs filling the chest cavity. They are the basic organ of respiration

Term 26

Memisis

Definition 26

Imitation

Term 27

Muscle

Definition 27

A fibrous tissue capable of being contracted and released
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Term 28

Nasal Cavity

Definition 28

The cavity in the head, located above the soft and hard palate, that leads to the nose. The entrance but not the size of this cavity can be adjusted

Term 29

Nasal Resonance

Definition 29

An amplification and modification of the fundamental tone in the nose

Term 30

Negative Practice

Definition 30

The learning technique that involves "consciously" practicing an error.
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Term 31

Open Throat

Definition 31

Optimal pharyngeal resonance; a relaxed throat that produces a relaxed sound

Term 32

Optimum Pitch

Definition 32

The best pitch for your voice, as determined by your physical structure. The best sound produced with the least effort.

Term 33

Oral Cavity

Definition 33

The buccal or mouth cavity; the size of this cavity can be adjusted.
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Term 34

Oral Recidivism

Definition 34

The tendency to relapse into a previous condition or mode of oral behavior

Term 35

Oral Resonance

Definition 35

An amplification and modification of the fundamental tone in the mouth

Term 36

Overly Open Throat

Definition 36

A voice quality that sounds too relaxed and includes a yawning quality.
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Term 37

Pharyngeal Resonance

Definition 37

An amplification and modification of the fundamental tone in the throat

Term 38

Pharynx

Definition 38

The throat cavity located between the esophagus and the opening to the nasal cavity; the size of this cavity can be adjusted. It is also called the throat

Term 39

Phoneme

Definition 39

A sound family that conveys meaning within languages; the individual sound components of a word. The smallest unit of recognizable speech sound.
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Term 40

Pitch

Definition 40

A factor of sound related to frequency, or the number of vibrations per unit of time. The perception of the highs and lows of sound.

Term 41

Projection

Definition 41

The act of controlling loudness

Term 42

Quality

Definition 42

A factor of sound determined by the complexity of vibrations per unit of time. The subjective interpretation of sound determined by the complexity of the vibrations; the amplification of the partials - the overtones that individualize a voice.
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Term 43

Resonance

Definition 43

The process that amplifies and modifies the intensity of tone. In the production of speech sounds. This amplification occurs primarily in the cavities of the mouth, nose, and throat because of either forced or sympathetic vibration. These three cavities constitute the vocal resonators. The size, shape, and physical makeup of the cavities determine the kind of amplification. In other words, the fundamental tones produced at the vocal folds is "re-sounded" within these cavities.

Term 44

Resonance Cavities

Definition 44

The cavities in which sound can resonate. for voice production, the mouth, nose, and throat cavities are the most important

Term 45

Respiration

Definition 45

The process of breathing; the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
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Term 46

Rib Cage

Definition 46

The bony boundary of the chest, or thorax.

Term 47

Singing Voice

Definition 47

Prolongation of vowels at particular pitches

Term 48

Speech

Definition 48

The result of the production, combination and presentation of the individual components of vocal sound.
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Term 49

Sternum

Definition 49

The breastbone.

Term 50

Thorax

Definition 50

The chest or chest cavity.

Term 51

Thyroarytenoid Muscles

Definition 51

The vocal folds
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Term 52

Thyroid Cartilage

Definition 52

The largest cartilage of the larynx; it is shield-shaped

Term 53

Tight Throat

Definition 53

Excessive tension in the throat' the opposite of an open throat.

Term 54

Tongue

Definition 54

The largest muscle in the mouth.
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Term 55

Trachea

Definition 55

The windpipe; a cartilaginous tube located between the throat and the bronchial tubes.

Term 56

Turbinates

Definition 56

Three spiral-shaped bones located behind the nose that warm, moisten, and filter the air during vegetative breathing

Term 57

Upper Thoracic Breathing

Definition 57

Respiration while elevating the sternum and often pulling in the lower ribs
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Term 58

Vegetative Breathing

Definition 58

Respiration in order to sustain life

Term 59

Vertebral Column

Definition 59

The spinal column

Term 60

Viscera

Definition 60

The soft digestive organs in the abdomen
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Term 61

Visualization

Definition 61

A technique in which a person recalls mental images of himself or herself in a non-threatening situation.

Term 62

Vocal Folds

Definition 62

Folds of muscle located within the larynx that, when vibrated by subglottal air pressure, cause most of the sounds of speech.

Term 63

Voice

Definition 63

The quality and condition of the sound produced at the larynx by the passage of exhaled breath between the vocal folds, which causes them to vibrate. The vocal sound is magnified and made resonant by the resonance cavities; it is here that the quality becomes a factor of sound.
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Term 64

Volume

Definition 64

The amount of force or energy applied to the production of the vocal sound; sound intensity shown by sound waves.

Term 65

Vowel

Definition 65

A speech sound in which there is a free, unobstructed flow of vibrating breath through the articulatory mold. The vowels are determined by the shape of the tongue and lips. Vowels give the language beauty and carrying power.

Term 66

Definition 66