mandible lower jaw messa di voce  Traditional exercise in Italian singing tradition consisting of a prolonged crescendo and diminuendo on a sustained tone mezza voce  Literally means "half voice." In practice, means singing softly but with proper support mucosa  The covering of the surfaces of the respiratory tract, including the oral cavity and nasal cavities, as well as the pharynx, larynx, and lower airways muscle tension dysphonia  Also called muscular tension dysphonia. A form of voice abuse characterized by excessive muscular effort, and usually by pressed phonation. A form of voice misuse

muscle tension dysphonia  Also called muscular tension dysphonia. Characterized by excessive muscular effort, and usually by pressed phonation. A form of voice misuse myoelastic-aerodynamic theory of phonation  The currently accepted mechanism of vocal fold physiology.  Compressed air exerts pressure on the undersurface of the closed vocal folds. The pressure overcomes adductory forces, causing the vocal folds to open. The elasticity of the displaced tissues (along with the Bernoulli effect) causes the vocal folds to snap shut, resulting in sound