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Summary

In the production of speech, airflow or heightened air pressure is required in order to produce the individual sounds of speech. Most usually this is achieved through the use of outgoing (egressive) air flowing from the lungs. Air pressures used in speech are generally not great, but involve a pressure differential from ambient air pressure. For the production of a small number of speech sounds, a negative air pressure is required, and for some speech sounds airflow is ingressive. Normal ambient air pressure at sea level is 101.325 kilopascals (kPa) or 14.7 pounds per square inch (psi). When air is permitted to flow unimpeded, air will flow from an area of higher pressure to an area of lesser pressure in order to equalize pressures. In speech, air may flow, causing the vocal folds to vibrate. Air may be forced to move through a constricted space such that it generates noise. Airflow may be blocked and a heightened pressure built up behind the blockage, which is then released with an explosive effect.

Pneumoparotitis is a rare cause of parotid enlargement. It is due to a reflux of air through Stensen's duct into the acini of the parotid gland with subsequent dilatation. We report a case which followed a long history of autoinflation of the middle ears by the Valsalva manoeuvre. The plain radiographic, sialographic and ultrasound findings are presented.

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4 - Air Pressure and Aerodynamics

Summary

Pneumoparotitis

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2 results

4 - Air Pressure and Aerodynamics

Summary

Pneumoparotitis