What is a typical characteristic of phonatory stenosis in spastic dysarthria?

• A. High pitch and clear tone
• B. Low pitch and strained voice with pitch breaks
• C. Rich vocal quality and extended phrases
• D. Consistent tone with no breaks

Answer: (B)

In spastic dysarthria, phonatory stenosis often results in a voice that is low in pitch and strained. This occurs due to the increased tone and stiffness of the laryngeal muscles, which can hinder the ability to produce a smooth and sustained vocal quality. The strained voice is characteristic of the muscle tension dysphonia commonly associated with this condition. Additionally, pitch breaks can occur as the vocal mechanism struggles to maintain control over pitch and airflow, making it difficult to produce a steady sound. This combination of strained quality and low pitch effectively illustrates the nature of phonatory stenosis in spastic dysarthria. The other characteristics identified in the other options do not align with the typical voice quality seen in this type of speech disorder.