RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the function of the palatal muscles in vivo by real-time wireless electromyography in rats. The effects of palatal wounding were also analyzed. METHODS: Microelectrodes were implanted six rats; in the masseter muscle (two-rats) for comparison, in the unwounded soft palate (two-rats) and the soft palate that received a surgical wound (two-rats). Two weeks after implantation, a wound was made in the soft palate using a 1 mm biopsy-punch. Electromyographic measurements and video-recordings were taken weekly to monitor train-duration and peak-amplitude during eating, grooming and drinking. RESULTS: The train-duration of the masseter muscle during eating was 0.49 ±â€¯0.11 s (rat-1) and 0.56 ±â€¯0.09 s (rat-2), which was higher than during grooming. In the unwounded soft palate the train-duration during eating was 0.63 ±â€¯0.12 s (rat-1) and 0.69 ±â€¯0.069 s (rat-2), which was higher than during grooming and drinking. The peak-amplitude for eating in the normal soft palate before surgery was 0.31 ±â€¯0.001 mV (rat-1) and 0.33 ±â€¯0.02 mV (rat-2). This decreased to 0.23 ±â€¯0.03 mV and 0.25 ±â€¯0.11 mV respectively, after surgery. For drinking the peak-amplitude was 0.30 ±â€¯0.01 mV (rat-1) and 0.39 ±â€¯0.01 mV (rat-2) before surgery, which decreased to 0.23 ±â€¯0.09 mV and 0.20 ±â€¯0.14 mV respectively, after surgery. CONCLUSION: The reduced peak-amplitude suggests impaired soft palate function after wounding. This is the first study into the in vivo function of the soft palate after surgical wounding. This model will contribute to develop strategies to improve soft palate function in patients.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

This paper reports on the results of two studies investigating the role of allophony in cueing phonemic contrasts. In Cochabamba Quechua, the uvularvelar place distinction is often cued by additional differences in the height of the surrounding vowels. An acoustic study documents the lowering effect of a preceding tautomorphemic or a following heteromorphemic uvular on the high vowels /i u/. A discrimination study finds that vowel height is a significant cue to the velar-uvular place contrast. These findings support a view of contrasts as collections of distinguishing properties, as opposed to oppositions in a single distinctive feature.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

PURPOSE: To verify the association of tongue clinical evaluation aspects with quantitative evaluation of tongue force. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 48 healthy adults, 13 men and 35 women (ages 20-44 years; mean - M=24.8 years; standard deviation - SD=5.3 years). By clinical evaluation, the following aspects were checked: tongue force, alternate movements, snap, suction and vibration of the tongue. The evaluator also checked if the floor of the mouth elevated during tasks of tongue elevation and sucking tongue on palate and the occurrence of lingual tremor. Quantitative evaluation was accomplished using the FORLING instrument. It is composed of a piston/cylinder assembly attached to a mouthguard and to a drive shaft. The force applied by the tongue to the drive shaft is hydraulically transmitted to a pressure sensor. Mann-Whitney's test was used to verify whether there were differences in average and maximum forces according to the characteristics assessed. The test was performed at a 5% level of significance. RESULTS: The aspects with the most frequent alteration were sucking tongue on palate and tongue vibration. Tremor had a higher occurrence during tongue movements. Elevation of the floor of the mouth in sucking tongue on palate was the only aspect associated with quantitative evaluation. CONCLUSION: The association between elevation of the floor of the mouth during sucking tongue on palate and quantitative evaluation can provide insight into the higher participation of the suprahyoid muscles in some participants in both tasks.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

PURPOSE: To verify the association of tongue clinical evaluation aspects with quantitative evaluation of tongue force. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 48 healthy adults, 13 men and 35 women (ages 20-44 years; mean - M=24.8 years; standard deviation - SD=5.3 years). By clinical evaluation, the following aspects were checked: tongue force, alternate movements, snap, suction and vibration of the tongue. The evaluator also checked if the floor of the mouth elevated during tasks of tongue elevation and sucking tongue on palate and the occurrence of lingual tremor. Quantitative evaluation was accomplished using the FORLING instrument. It is composed of a piston/cylinder assembly attached to a mouthguard and to a drive shaft. The force applied by the tongue to the drive shaft is hydraulically transmitted to a pressure sensor. Mann-Whitney's test was used to verify whether there were differences in average and maximum forces according to the characteristics assessed. The test was performed at a 5% level of significance. RESULTS: The aspects with the most frequent alteration were sucking tongue on palate and tongue vibration. Tremor had a higher occurrence during tongue movements. Elevation of the floor of the mouth in sucking tongue on palate was the only aspect associated with quantitative evaluation. CONCLUSION: The association between elevation of the floor of the mouth during sucking tongue on palate and quantitative evaluation can provide insight into the higher participation of the suprahyoid muscles in some participants in both tasks. .

OBJETIVO: Pesquisar a associação entre os aspectos da avaliação clínica da língua e avaliação quantitativa da força de protrusão da língua. Métodos: Foi realizada uma pesquisa transversal com 48 adultos saudáveis, 13 homens e 35 mulheres (idades entre 20 e 44 anos; média - M=24,8 anos; desvio padrão - DP=5,3 anos). Na avaliação clínica, os seguintes aspectos foram avaliados: força da língua, movimentos alternados, estalo, sucção e vibração da língua. O avaliador também verificou se o assoalho da boca elevava-se durante tarefas de elevação e sucção de língua no palato, bem como a ocorrência de tremor lingual. Para avaliação quantitativa da força da língua, utilizou-se o FORLING, o qual é composto por um conjunto pistão/cilindro acoplado a um bocal e a uma haste de acionamento. A força aplicada pela língua à haste é hidraulicamente transmitida a um sensor de pressão. Utilizou-se o teste de Mann-Whitney para verificar se havia diferenças nas forças médias e máximas, de acordo com as características avaliadas. Adotou-se nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: Os aspectos com maior número de indivíduos alterados foram sucção de língua no palato e vibração de língua. Tremor lingual teve alta ocorrência durante tarefas de mobilidade. Elevação do assoalho da boca durante sucção de língua no palato foi o único aspecto da avaliação clínica associado à avaliação quantitativa de força. CONCLUSÃO: A associação entre elevação do assoalho da boca durante sucção de língua no palato com a avaliação quantitativa de força pode indicar uma maior participação da musculatura supra-hióidea em determinados participantes em ambas as tarefas. .

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Most normative data available for assessing resonance through instrumentation have been collected with English-speaking individuals. The present study aimed at providing initial data on Spanish for use with the nasometer. Mean nasalance scores were obtained from 40 normal Puerto Rican Spanish-speaking females while they read three types of stimuli: (1) sentences containing nasal consonants, (2) a reading passage with both oral and nasal consonants, and (3) a reading passage with oral consonants. Results indicated significant differences in mean nasalance scores across the nasal sentences, as well as the two paragraph stimuli. In addition, a high degree of intersubject variability in the production of the target stimuli was evidenced. Comparisons with previous English normative data with similar reading stimuli are made and possible avenues for further research on the use of the nasometer with Spanish-speaking populations are discussed.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

There is a certain global awareness to unify the reports of the findings with the Fiber Optic Endoscopy and The Fluoroscopy in the Velopharyngeal Sphincter. The evaluation must be made by specialists. Nasopharyngoscopy: The required equipment is the nasopharyngoscope with a source of light. A videotape is desirable although not necessary. The report must be descriptive and should arrive at precise conclusions. The following are described: 1) nasal phosae, 2) meatus, 3) the exit orifice of the Eustachian Tube, 4) oropharyx, 5) velopharyngeal sphincter (posterior and lateral pharyngeal walls, and the palatal velum), 6) the closing pattern (form, separate structure, at rest, and in phonation), and 7) larynx. Fluoroscopy: It is useful to evaluate the lateral pharyngeal walls as well as the level at which the velopharyngela sphincter closes. The fluoroscopy is not required in every combination instance. Nevertheless, when it is used, it must be in complement with the nasopharyngoscopy. The videotape is not indispensable. Frontal, lateral, and basal incidences must always be performed.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)