Pressure‐flow relationships within static models of the larynx

Pressure‐flow relationships using steady flow through polyester resin models of the larynx were investigated. Model geometry was based on x‐ray data. Flow ranged from 20 to 1000 cc/s, resulting in translaryngeal pressure drops from 0.03 to 40 cm H2O. Translaryngeal pressure drop predictions from Ishizaka and Matsudaira [SCRL Monograph, No. 8 (1972)] and van den Berg, et al. [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 29, 626–631 (1957)] fell within 37% and 50%, respectively, of the data. For an intermediate size glottis, the overall average percent difference between the measured and predicted pressure drops was less than 5% when compared with Ishizaka and Matsudaira's predictions, and less than 30% when compared with van den Berg's predictions. For a larger glottis, the corresponding percentages were 21% and 37%. We conclude that: (1) both theories underestimate the translaryngeal pressure drop, and (2) the data support the predictions of Ishizaka and Matsudaira more than the predictions of van den Berg et al.