What happens during velopharyngeal incompetence in terms of airflow?

Velopharyngeal incompetence refers to the inability of the velopharyngeal mechanism to close properly during speech and swallowing. When this mechanism does not function as it should, airflow is redirected into the nasal cavity.

This occurs because the velopharyngeal closure, which involves the lifting of the soft palate against the back wall of the throat to separate the nasal cavity from the oral cavity, is compromised. As a result, instead of the air being fully channeled through the oral cavity, some of it escapes through the nasal cavity. This often leads to nasal speech quality or hypernasality, where speech sounds have an increased resonance in the nasal passages. Understanding this process is essential for recognizing the implications of velopharyngeal incompetence on speech production and its potential impact on communication and swallowing.