Organs of Speech

Introduction 

organs of speech are the parts of the human body that help produce speech sounds. They work with the air we breathe out and shape it into meaningful sounds. These organs are also called articulators, and their study is known as Articulatory Phonetics.

Main Organs of Speech and their fuction.

1. Lips

Open, close, or press together to make sounds like p, b, m, f, v.

2.Teeth

Work with tongue and lips for sounds like t, d, f, v, θ.

3.Tongue

 The main organ; divided into tip, blade, front, back, and root. It touches other parts to make many sounds (t, d, k, g, n).

4. Alveolar Ridge 

Just behind upper teeth; tongue touches it for t, d, s, n, l.

5. Hard Palate 

The bony roof of the mouth; tongue touches it for j (as in yes).

6. Soft Palate (Velum)

Controls air through nose or mouth; used for k, g, ŋ (as in king).

7. Uvula

Stops air from going through the nose during speech.

8. Nasal Cavity

Passage for air through the nose; makes nasal sounds like m, n, ŋ.

9. Oral Cavity 

The mouth space where most sounds are shaped.

10. Pharynx 

Tube above the larynx; helps in voice quality and resonance.

11. Epiglottis 

A flap that guides air and protects the windpipe when swallowing.

12. Larynx (Voice Box) 

Produces the voice.

13. Vocal Folds 

Vibrate to make voiced sounds (b, z, d) or stay open for voiceless sounds (p, s, f).

14. Glottis 

The space between the vocal folds; important for h sound.

15. Nostrils 

Let air pass out through the nose for nasal sounds.