Twitch response in the canine vocalis muscle

Abstract

The twitch response of the canine vocalis muscle was investigated through a series of experiments conducted in vitro. Samples of vocalis muscle were dissected and prepared from canine larynges a few minutes before death and kept in Krebs solution at a temperature of 37 ± 1°C and pH of 7.4 ± 0.05. Field stimulation with parallel-plate silver electrodes was applied to study the twitch response of muscle samples. The peak tension and time course of isometric contraction of isolated muscle samples were measured electronically with a Cambridge Technology Dual Servo System (ergometer). Contraction time and 50% relaxation time of this muscle were measured for seven samples at various levels of strain. It was found that contraction time ranged between 22 and 32 ms and 50% relaxation time ranged between 17 and 37 ms. Results indicate that the vocalis muscle is a fast muscle capable of performing rapid maneuvers in support of changes in fundamental frequency.

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1044/jshr.3003.290

Publication Date

1-1-1987

Journal Title

Journal of Speech and Hearing Research

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