Prediction of velopharyngeal orifice area: a re-examination of model experimentation.

Warren has advanced a modification of the hydrokinetic equation for predicting velopharyngeal orifice area (Warren and DuBois, 1964). In the present work, this equation was subjected to extensive controlled model experimentation. The results of this experimentation show that, given the pressure differential across the orifice and the rate of airflow through the orifice, accurate predictions can be made of the area of the velopharyngeal port. These results were interpreted to provide strong support for both clinical and research use of the hydrokinetic equation for predicting velopharyngeal orifice area.