Ultrasound Evaluation of Tongue Movements in Speech and Swallowing

INCLUSION CRITERIA: Normal volunteers: Normal volunteers ages 21 to 85 may be asked to participate in a study of speech and swallowing utilizing a traditional clinical examination of oral-motor performance. If the subjects are without deficits in dental occlusion, speech articulation, tongue and lip strength, tongue and lip mobility, palatal function and oral sensation they will be asked to participate in an ultrasonic evaluation of tongue/hyoid interaction during swallowing and speech. Children will be included if they are referred with a medical condition that affects the oral pharyngeal phase of swallowing, voice production or laryngeal function and the investigator needs to evaluate functional performance and safety for oral feeding. Neurological Group: Subjects aged 6 to 85 with diagnosed developmental, neuromotor, systemic, genetic, neurologic, structural and post surgical dysfunction who have deficits in speech (dysarthria) and/or swallow (dysphagia) may be asked to participate in this study of ultrasonic imaging. Aging patients with and without dementia may also be studied. Patients with Post Polio Syndrome, Polymyositis, Dermatomyositis, Toricollis, Cerebellar Degeneration, Parkinson's disease, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, ALS, Cystinosis, are among the conditions of interest. Subjects with complaints of oral dryness, and patients who have undergone mandibular and oral surgery may also be studied during swallowing. Oropharyngeal/Laryngeal Tumors: Patients will be seen who are enrolled in NCI and NIDCD protocols for head and neck tumors. EXCLUSION CRITERIA Normal Subjects: Hearing impairment reported (above 40 db, bilaterally) Dentures Oral Prosthesis Palatal surgery or other restorative dental surgery Radial neck dissection, glossectomy Tumor or masses in neck or tongue Cerebral vascular attack Stuttering Non-English speaker Childhood articulation impairment