Cepstral analysis was discussed as a method of finding the cepstral peak prominence (or prominences) above the regression line plotted through the background noise (i.e., harmonics are emphasized with this approach). The primary advantage of this approach–essentially an additional Fourier transform–is that the fundamental frequency does not have to be known or identified for this to work. Why else might a voice clinician try to use this approach in the clinic?

SLPs sometimes emphasize the pathologist component of their professional title as opposed to the therapeutic aspects of their work. It has also been stated in the course that one definition of pathology is misuse or dysfunction plus a time component. In the context of diagnosis, what does the SLP do with voice disorders?

The diaphragm is a double-dome shaped muscle (thicker and flatter on the right side and thinner and rounder on the left side) with attachments to the pleura (membrane that envelops the lungs and lines the inside of the chest cavity), the lumbar spine between the 11th and 12th ribs, and the rib cage (ribs, costal cartilages, and xiphoid process). It is very important for breathing and “breath support” of the voice among its other roles in the body (e.g., bracing). How might a voice clinician support a patient in breathing with support from the diaphragm?

Motor commands for vocalization are thought to be routed through the nucleus retroambiguus (NRA) in the medulla. Recent research has indicated a particular area of the brain involved in voluntary vocalizations that is also associated with modulation of pain, sexual/reproductive behaviors, defensiveness and aggression, fear and anxiety, and autonomic regulation. What is this area called?

A new patient comes in for examination. They complain of five or more years of voice difficulty. Stress has been elevated after their divorce and they admit to frequent yelling at their children. They endorse poorly treated acid reflux and excessive throat clearing. Their perceptual voicing is rated as G = 2, R = 1-2, B = 0, A = 1, and S = 1. They report vocal fatigue and sometimes voice loss, especially when sick. During videolaryngostroboscopy, there are small callus-like lesions in the strike zone of the vocal folds (approximately at the junction of the anterior third and posterior two-thirds of the vocal folds) that cause the cords to close in an hourglass closure pattern. What voice disorder does the patient most likely demonstrate?

The muscular body of the vocal folds/cords has two compartments–thyromuscularis and thyrovocalis. While there is vibration of the muscle, particularly through thyrovocalis, Hirano’s Body-Cover Theory posits that contraction of this muscle typically provides stabilizing effects while the layered cover (mostly collagen and elastin) that surrounds it is doing most of the vibration. What is the name of this two compartment muscle?

Some of the evolution associated with the larynx was presented (think lung fish and also the loss of some structures that other primates may still have such as air sacs). Embryology was also discussed. With all of this in mind, it is appropriate to think of the larynx as a valve.

Which type of material is strongly attracted to an external magnetic field and remains magnetized after the field is removed?

On a spin echo T2 weighted image, which of the following appears brightest?

With a short TR, fat produces a higher signal than water because