A N A T O M Y A N D P H Y S I O L O G Y OF SPEECH 
H A R O L D M . K A P L A N 

Head, Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois 
University 

McGraw  - Hill  Book  Co., Inc.,  New  York.  1960 

This book by A. M. Kaplan represents a milestone 
in the literature of  speech pathology. For many years 
the need has been felt  for  a concise presentation of 
the anatomy and physiology of  the speech mechanism. 
Up to now the speech therapist has been frustrated 
by the arduous task of  piecing together information 
derived from  many sources not particularly orientated 
towards speech and attempting to apply it to his 
particular field  of  work. 

Kaplan states that his study "attempts to unify  the 
present known and prominent anatomical and physio-
logical data into an orderly account of  the normal 
sensory and motor aspects of  speech". He directs the 
text to students of  speech. 

He has as the central theme of  the book the opera-
tional method by which man transmits information. 
He considers the importance of  the fact  that the struc-
tures involved in speech production were not primarily 
concerned with speech. 

The text covers the regulators of  speech (nervous, 
autonomic, and endocrine), the respiratory system, the 

larynx, the velopharyngeal mechanism, the nose and 
sinuses, the structures for  articulation and the ear as 
a sound receptor. 

In his discussion of  each aspect of  the speech 
mechanism, Kaplan always attempts to relate anatomi-
cal and physiological facts  to speech production. His 
discussion of  the larynx as "the structure for 
phonation" and his chapter on the applied anatomy 
and physiology of  the larynx illustrate this well. 
Througout the text references  to speech production 
occur, e.g. In dealing with the function  of  salivary 
glands, Kaplan points out that "With decreased 
salivary flow,  the movements of  the lips, tongue, and 
cheeks against the teeth are accomplished less smoothly 
and efficiently.  This condition handicaps speaking 
or singing". The speech therapist is thus provided 
with an abundance of  information  which leads to a 
clearer understanding of  the problems with which he 
is often  faced. 

The wealth and basic quality of  the information 
presented make this book one of  outstanding value — 
an essential to every therapist. Its detail makes it 
particularly valuable to the graduate therapist, but a 
little complicated for  the student therapist. However, 
there is no doubt that the beginner could gain much 
from  this book. 

FREIDA ABRAHAMSOHN 

JOURNAL OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN LOGOPEDIC SOCIETY 

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