1. Respiratory System:
* Lungs: Provide the airflow that powers the vocal folds.
* Diaphragm: The primary muscle of respiration, it controls the inhalation and exhalation process.
* Rib cage: Houses the lungs and expands and contracts to facilitate breathing.
2. Phonatory System:
* Larynx (voice box): Located at the top of the trachea, houses the vocal folds.
* Vocal folds (vocal cords): Two small, elastic bands of tissue that vibrate when air passes through them, creating sound.
* Thyroid cartilage: The largest cartilage of the larynx, it protects the vocal cords and plays a role in pitch control.
* Cricoid cartilage: A ring-shaped cartilage that supports the larynx.
* Arytenoid cartilages: Two small, pyramid-shaped cartilages that attach to the vocal cords and control their tension and movement.
3. Articulatory System:
* Pharynx (throat): Connects the mouth and nose to the larynx.
* Oral cavity (mouth): Contains the tongue, teeth, and hard palate.
* Tongue: A highly mobile muscle that shapes the sounds of speech.
* Teeth: Play a crucial role in producing many consonants and influencing vowel sounds.
* Hard palate (roof of the mouth): Helps to form the shape of the vocal tract.
* Soft palate (velum): Controls the flow of air between the nose and mouth.
4. Nervous System:
* Brain: Coordinates and controls all aspects of speech production, including breathing, vocal cord vibration, and articulation.
* Nerves: Carry signals from the brain to the muscles involved in speech production.
How the process works:
1. Respiration: The lungs provide a steady stream of air.
2. Phonation: The airflow passes through the larynx, causing the vocal folds to vibrate, producing sound waves. The pitch of the voice is determined by the tension and length of the vocal folds.
3. Articulation: The sounds produced by the vocal folds are then modified by the articulatory system, creating the different sounds of speech.
This is a simplified explanation, and the actual process is far more intricate, involving a complex interplay of muscles, nerves, and cartilage.