Vocal Tract Area Function for Vowels Using Three-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. A Preliminary Study

Summary Objective: To assess whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows the vocal tract (VT) area function to be determined for a normal male speaker. Method: VT shapes were acquired using MRI during sustained production of French points vowels: /i/, /a/, /u/. Cross-sectional areas were measured from a series of planes spaced at intervals of 1 cm along the length of the VT and were used as input in a previously described VT model to...