This paper presents predictions of the consequences of tongue surgery on speech production. For this purpose, a 3D finite element model of the tongue is used that represents this articulator as a deformable structure in which tongue muscles anatomy is realistically described. Two examples of tongue surgery, which are common in the treatment of cancers of the oral cavity, are modelled, namely a hemiglossectomy and a large resection of the mouth floor. In both cases, three kinds of possible reconstruction are simulated, assuming flaps with different stiffness. Predictions are computed for the cardinal vowels /i, a, u/ in the absence of any compensatory strategy, i.e. with the same motor commands as the one associated with the production of these vowels in non-pathological conditions. The estimated vocal tract area functions and the corresponding formants are compared to the ones obtained under normal conditions.
Index Terms. biomechanical modelling, tongue surgery, glossectomy, speech production
Cite as: Buchaillard, S., Brix, M., Perrier, P., Payan, Y. (2007) Use of a biomechanical tongue model to predict the impact of tongue surgery on speech production. Proc. Models and Analysis of Vocal Emissions for Biomedical Applications (MAVEBA 2007), 79-82
@inproceedings{buchaillard07_maveba,
author={Stéphanie Buchaillard and Muriel Brix and Pascal Perrier and Yohan Payan},
title={{Use of a biomechanical tongue model to predict the impact of tongue surgery on speech production}},
year=2007,
booktitle={Proc. Models and Analysis of Vocal Emissions for Biomedical Applications (MAVEBA 2007)},
pages={79--82}
}