A Novel Model for Investigation of the Jaw Movement During Speech

Speech production is one of the most complicated physiological systems including different subsystems. These subsystems must work together in a synchronous manner. One of the important sub-systems is the jaw. Although different models have suggested for jaw, no suitable model has been proposed yet to consider the interactions between muscles, bones and nervous system. In this paper, using Spring-Damper-Mass and a nonlinear concept, we introduced a novel model for jaw movement during speech production. Experimental data were used to estimate the model parameters. Computer simulation results showed that the model could generate the jaw movement patterns similar to those observed in physiological behavior. Generality and simplicity of the model are two model features useful for more investigation of the jaw movement in different tasks.