Airstream mechanism refers to the mechanism by which air pressure or airflow is created in order to power speech production. The most basic and universal is the pulmonic airstream mechanism, whereby the lungs power an egressive airflow that produces both an airstream and a heightened air pressure when the vocal tract is blocked. The glottalic airstream mechanism involves vertical movement of the larynx with closed glottis, pushing air upward or drawing air in. This mechanism produces ejectives (glottalized consonants) and implosives. The velaric airstream mechanism produces clicks and is powered by tongue movements. Esophageal speech is produced by a controlled release of air from the esophagus (i.e., belching) in which the vibration of the esophageal sphincter substitutes for the vibration of the vocal folds.
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