Normal phonatory airflow rate is approximately which range?

• A. 50-200 mL/sec
• B. 500-800 mL/sec
• C. 5-20 mL/sec
• D. 300-450 mL/sec

Answer: (A)

Normal phonation depends on a balance between subglottal pressure and glottal resistance, so the airflow through the vocal folds during voiced speech is a modest, regulated flow rather than full tidal breathing. In adults, modal (normal) phonation typically uses about 50 to 200 milliliters of air per second. This range captures the typical airflow needed to sustain vibration while keeping the glottis sufficiently constricted to generate efficient vocal fold energy transfer. The average hovers around 100 mL/s, with natural variation due to factors like pitch and loudness. Airflow much lower would imply too tight a constriction or whisper-like phonation, while airflow well above this range would indicate loud or forced phonation beyond normal speech. So the normal phonatory airflow rate is roughly 50–200 mL per second.