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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2009 Sep 3.
Published in final edited form as: Semin Speech Lang. 2008 Dec 4;29(4):257–266. doi: 10.1055/s-0028-1103389

Table 1.

Description of Early Oromotor Characteristics, Goals, and Frequencies

Behavior Movement Characteristics Behavioral Goal Predominant Jaw Movement Frequency
Sucking Vertical lingual motion (coupled with mandibular motion) generates negative pressure in the oral cavity. Draw liquid bolus into oral cavity prior to swallowing. Non-nutritive: 1-2 Hz Nutritive: 1 Hz
Mastication Lingual motion positions the bolus; mandibular motion generates occlusal force. Break down a solid bolus prior to swallowing. 0.88-2.11 Hz
Speech Rapid and more independent motions of the lips, tongue, jaw, soft palate, and pharynx modulate vocal tract resonance and aeroacoustic valving. Aerodynamic expiratory energy, transformed to acoustic energy at the larynx; the spectral shape of this acoustic energy is shaped by the relative positions of the articulators. 3-4 Hz