Role of Passavant's ridge in cleft palate speech.

In order to reevaluate the role of Passavant's ridge, 10 adult cleft palate patients with a marked ridge were examined by a radiographic and cineradiographic method. Following results were obtained: 1. Height of the ridge varies with the vowels. 2. Height of the ridge in consonant syllable phonation is not related to velopharyngeal closure required for each consonat but to the succeeding vowels. 3. Tongue position for vowel phonation has a great effect on the appearance of the ridge. In conclusion, formation of Passavant's ridge is not associated with the degree of velopharyngeal closure necessary for the specific speech sound, but it closely related to the tongue position for vowel production. Thus the significance of Passavant's ridge in cleft palate speech remains quite doubtful.