Effect of Temporary Closure of Oronasal Fistulae on Levator Veli Palatini Muscle Activity

1997 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 505-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Tachimura ◽  
Hisanaga Hara ◽  
Hideyasu Koh ◽  
Takeshi Wada
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Hard Palate ◽  
Air Pressure ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Cotton Swab ◽  
Levator Veli Palatini ◽  
Oronasal Fistula ◽  
Velopharyngeal Incompetence ◽  
Velopharyngeal Function ◽  
Temporary Closure

Objective: The objective of this study was to clarify electromyographically the effects of closing an oronasal fistula on levator muscle activity and oral air pressure in patients with velopharyngeal incompetence and in those with adequate velopharyngeal function. Subjects: Five patients with adequate velopharyngeal function and six patients with velopharyngeal incompetence were studied. All subjects had an oronasal fistula at the anterior third portion of the hard palate in spite of primary palatal closure using palatal push-back operation. Outcome Measures: The smoothed electromyographic activity of the levator veli palatini muscle was measured with the fistula closed with a cotton swab dipped in saline and with the fistula left open. Results: Under the closed fistula condition, oral air pressure was greater than that observed under the open fistula condition irrespective of velopharyngeal function. Levator veli palatini muscle activity was significantly lower in magnitude under the condition of closure than under the open condition in the patients with adequate velopharyngeal function, whereas in those with velopharyngeal incompetence, it was not significantly changed. Conclusions: The results suggest that velopharyngeal function is affected by temporary closure of an oronasal fistula, and that the magnitude of the effect is greater for subjects with adequate velopharyngeal function than for subjects with velopharyngeal incompetence.

Oral Air Pressure and Nasal Air Flow Rate on Levator Veli Palatini Muscle Activity in Patients Wearing a Speech Appliance

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 382-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Tachimura ◽  
Hisanaga Hara ◽  
Takeshi Wada
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Neural Control ◽  
Air Flow ◽  
Air Pressure ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Air Flow Rate ◽  
Circular Area ◽  
Pharyngeal Bulb ◽  
Levator Veli Palatini

This study was designed to determine if levator veli palatini muscle activity can be elicited by simultaneous changes in oral air pressure and nasal air flow when a speech appliance is in place. The speech appliances routinely worn by 15 subjects were each modified experimentally by drilling a hole in the vertical center of the pharyngeal bulb. The air flow rate into the nasal cavity through the opening in the bulb was altered by changing the circular area of the opening in the bulb from the occluded condition (Condition I), to circular area of 12.6 mm2 (4 mm in diameter; Condition II), and then to 38.5 mm2 (7 mm in diameter; Condition III). Electromyographic activity was measured from the levator veli palatini muscle with changes in nasal air flow rate and oral air pressure. Levator veli palatini muscle activity was correlated with changes in nasal air flow and oral air pressure. Increases in levator veli palatini muscle activity were associated with increases in nasal air flow rate compared to oral air pressure changes. The results indicated that aerodynamic variables of nasal air flow and oral air pressure might be involved in the neural control of speech production in individuals wearing a speech appliance, even if the subjects exhibit velopharyngeal incompetence without using a speech appliance. Also, the stimulating effect of bulb reduction therapy on velopharyngeal function might be achieved through the change in aerodynamic variables in association with the bulb reduction.

Effects of Subglottal Air Pressure on Velopharyngeal Muscle Activity in Dogs

2003 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 351-355
Author(s):  
Mikihiko Kogo ◽  
Seiji Iida ◽  
Hitomi Senoo ◽  
Shouichiro Ishii ◽  
Munehiro Hamaguchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Air Pressure ◽  
The Other ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Sodium Pentobarbital ◽  
Beagle Dogs ◽  
The Third ◽  
Levator Veli Palatini ◽  
Laryngeal Nerves

Objective To analyze the effects of airflow in the larynx on activity of the levator veli palatini and pterygopharyngeal muscles. Design Ten adult beagle dogs were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital. In each dog, two tracheal tubes were inserted subsequent to tracheotomy, one in the direction of the vocal folds and the other toward the lungs for respiration. In the first of three experiments, the effect of artificial airflow on electromyographic activity of the levator and pterygopharyngeal muscles was studied. In the second experiment, the effect of air pressure beneath the vocal folds on the activity of these muscles was studied. For the third experiment, the larynx was isolated surgically without cutting the bilateral superior laryngeal nerves and the effect of airflow through it examined. Results and Conclusion Both outward airflow and higher pressure enhanced expiratory activity of the levator and pterygopharyngeal muscles. Receptors in the subglottal area play major roles in this enhancement. Furthermore, an increase in air pressure during expiration enhances closure of the velopharynx.

Change in Levator Veli Palatini Muscle Activity of Normal Speakers in Association with Elevation of the Velum Using an Experimental Palatal Lift Prosthesis

2001 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 449-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Tachimura ◽  
Kanji Nohara ◽  
Yoshinori Fujita ◽  
Hisanaga Hara ◽  
Takeshi Wada
Keyword(s):  
Direct Effect ◽  
Analysis Of Variance ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
T Test ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Speech Task ◽  
Levator Veli Palatini ◽  
Velopharyngeal Incompetence ◽  
Student’S T ◽  
Student’S T Test

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine whether mechanical elevation of the velum can directly affect the levator veli palatini muscle (LVP) activity using normal speakers as subjects. Design: Each subject was instructed to produce /mu/, /u/, /pu/, /su/, and /tsu/ in a speech task and to blow with maximum possible effort. Smoothed electromyographic activity of the LVP was recorded with an experimental palatal lift prosthesis (PLP) both in place and removed. Participants: Four normal speakers were used as subjects. Results: LVP activity for all tasks was significantly smaller (p < .001; Student's t test) with the PLP in place than without the PLP for all subjects. An analysis of variance (p < .001) clarified that activity ranges of the LVP were significantly different between the removal and placement conditions for all the subjects. Conclusion: The result was similar to that previously obtained for patients with velopharyngeal incompetence wearing a PLP. It is possible that the decrease in the LVP activity in association with placement of a PLP is caused by the direct effect of mechanical elevation, which decreases the distance the velopharyngeal mechanisms must travel for complete closure of the velopharynx.

Effect of Temporary Closure of Oronasal Fistulae on Levator Veli Palatini Muscle Activity

1997 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 505-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Tachimura ◽  
Hisanaga Hara ◽  
Hideyasu Koh ◽  
Takeshi Wada
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Levator Veli Palatini ◽  
Temporary Closure

scholarly journals Levator Veli Palatini Muscle Activity in Patients with Velopharyngeal Incompetence Due to Stroke.

2000 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 8-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takashi Tachimura ◽  
Yoshinori Fujita ◽  
Mayumi Yoneda ◽  
Takeshi Wada
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Levator Veli Palatini ◽  
Velopharyngeal Incompetence

Prediction of Deterioration of Velopharyngeal Function Associated with Maxillary Advancement Using Electromyography of Levator Veli Palatini Muscle

2006 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 174-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanji Nohara ◽  
Takashi Tachimura ◽  
Takeshi Wada
Keyword(s):  
Maximal Activity ◽  
Levator Muscle ◽  
Perceptual Judgment ◽  
Levator Veli Palatini ◽  
Maximum Value ◽  
Maxillary Advancement ◽  
Total Range ◽  
Velopharyngeal Incompetence ◽  
Velopharyngeal Closure ◽  
Velopharyngeal Function

Objective The purpose of the present study was to examine the possibility that postoperative velopharyngeal function following maxillary advancement could be predicted using preoperative electromyography of the levator veli palatini. Design Levator muscle electromyography was recorded preoperatively during speech and blowing. Levator activity was expressed as a percentage relative to the maximum value observed throughout the experiment. Postoperative velopharyngeal function was evaluated by means of perceptual judgment and nasoendoscopy. Participants The subjects were four patients with repaired cleft palates who underwent maxillary advancement, two by osteotomy and two by distraction osteogenesis. None of the subjects presented with preoperative hypernasality, and nasoendoscopy demonstrated complete velopharyngeal closure in all subjects prior to maxillary advancement. Results Preoperative levator activity for speech of two subjects was similar to that for normal speakers (<60% of total range), and postoperative nasality and nasoendoscopic findings revealed no detectible changes. For the other two subjects, levator activity for speech exceeded 60% of the total range, similar to that of speakers with velopharyngeal incompetence. These subjects showed increased hypernasality and deteriorated velopharyngeal closure following maxillary advancement. Conclusion The deterioration of velopharyngeal function associated with maxillary advancement was demonstrated for subjects whose levator activity was at higher levels during speech in comparison with maximal activity observed during blowing, regardless of the amount of maxillary advancement. Preoperative levator muscle electromyography could be a predictor in identifying patients at higher risk of postsurgical deterioration of velopharyngeal function.

Levator Veli Palatini Muscle Activity in Relation to Intranasal Air Pressure Variation

1993 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
David P. Kuehn ◽  
Jerald B. Moon ◽  
John W. Folkins
Keyword(s):  
Cleft Palate ◽  
Atmospheric Pressure ◽  
Positive Airway Pressure ◽  
Air Pressure ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Resistive Load ◽  
Cpap Therapy ◽  
Levator Veli Palatini ◽  
Nasal Cavities ◽  
Velopharyngeal Closure

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy can be used to reduce hypernasality by elevating the air pressure in the nasal cavities during speech. The purpose of this study was to determine whether increased intranasal air pressure loads the major muscle of velopharyngeal closure, the levator veli palatini. Nine subjects, four with cleft palate and five without cleft palate, were studied. Electromyographic activity was measured from the levator veli palatini muscle with several levels of air pressure delivered to the nasal cavities using a commercially available CPAP instrument. It was found that levator veli palatini activity was significantly greater for the positive air pressure conditions than for the atmospheric pressure conditions for both subject groups. This indicates that the levator veli palatini muscle acts against the resistive load produced by the increased intranasal air pressure. The results support the use of CPAP therapy as a method of resistance exercise for strengthening velopharyngeal closure muscles.

Effects of Gravity on Velopharyngeal Muscle Activity during Speech

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 371-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerald B. Moon ◽  
John W. Canady
Keyword(s):  
Motor Control ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Body Position ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Body Postures ◽  
Levator Veli Palatini ◽  
Gravity Effects ◽  
Velopharyngeal Function

Assessment of the role of gravitational forces in the motor control of the velopharyngeal mechanism was the focus of this study. Specifically, the effect of gravity on activation levels of the levator veli palatini and palatoglossus muscles was assessed. Nineteen volunteers repeated a CV syllable in upright and supine body positions. Overall, lower peak activation levels of levator veli palatini were observed in the supine body position. The results suggest that less muscle activity was seen in the levator veli palatini in the supine body posture, where gravitational effects worked in the same direction (i.e., toward closure). No statistically significant group effects were seen in muscle activation levels of palatoglossus across the two body postures, although clear gravity effects were observed in some subjects. The implications of these findings from a speech motor control perspective are discussed in relation to normal and disordered velopharyngeal function.

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