Image Source: WebMD
Velopharyngeal disorders occur as a result of numerous genetic and craniofacial anomalies and can heavily influence speech due to atypical nasal resonance. This website is intended to educate speech-language pathology students and clinicians about instrumental assessment of velopharyngeal dysfunction and the populations most served by such instrumentation. As many velopharyngeal disorders are treated surgically, information about surgical intervention is also provided.
Overview of Velopharyngeal Disorders
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Velopharyngeal Dysfunction (VPD) is a general term used to describe disorder of the VP valve
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The VP valve does not close consistently and completely during the production of oral sounds OR
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The VP valve does not open consistently and completely for the production of nasal sounds
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Velopharyngeal Incompetence (VPI) refers to abnormal movement
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Cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, and dysarthria are examples of disorders that cause velopharyngeal incompetence
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Velopharyngeal Insufficiency (VPI) refers to abnormal structures
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VPI is the most common type of VPD because it includes a short or defective velum, which is common in children with a history of cleft palate.
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Source: Kummer, A. (2013). Cleft Palate & Craniofacial Anomalies: Effects on Speech and Resonance. Cengage Learning.