Posterior Pharyngeal Wall Movement in Normals

Abstract

Upright cephalometric laminagraphs were made of 80 normal subjects at rest phonating (a), and producing the continuant consonant (s). Passavant''s bar was evident in 9 of the 80 subjects but in 6 of the 9 actual velar contact with the posterior pharyngeal wall was made above the ridge. In remaining 3 subjects the only velopharyngeal contact was on the apex of the ridge. The authors believe it is doubtful whether the actual extent of forward excursion of the posterior pharyngeal wall is of clinical significance in production of speech sounds.