Definition

1. Noun:
   • The physiological structures and mechanisms involved in the production of speech sounds: The articulatory system refers specifically to the organs and anatomical structures (such as the lips, tongue, teeth, palate, and larynx) that work together to shape the airflow from the lungs to create the sounds of spoken language.

Usage Notes

• The term "articulatory system" is a technical term used primarily in linguistics, phonetics, and speech pathology.
• It is a singular, countable noun. You typically refer to "the articulatory system" or "an articulatory system."
• It describes a functional anatomical system, not a social or mechanical system.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Understanding the articulatory system is essential for speech therapists.
  • Phonetics students learn how each consonant and vowel is produced by the articulatory system.
  • Damage to parts of the articulatory system can result in speech disorders.

Advanced Usage

• "Articulatory phonetics": The subfield of phonetics concerned with how the articulatory system produces speech sounds.
  • Her research focuses on articulatory phonetics and the mechanics of vowel production.

Variants and Related Words

• Articulator (noun): A specific organ or part of the articulatory system (e.g., the tongue, the lips) that is used to produce a speech sound.
  • The tongue is the most active articulator.
• Articulation (noun): The act or process of producing speech sounds using the articulatory system; also refers to clear, distinct speech.
  • His articulation was very precise.

Synonyms

• Vocal apparatus: A very close synonym, though it may sometimes include the lungs and respiratory system more explicitly.
• Speech organs: A more general, informal term for the components of the articulatory system.

Important Clarification

• Note on Reference Context: The provided reference context ("the system of joints in the body") is a general definition for "articulatory system" in a sense, not the specific linguistic sense. In the specialized field of linguistics and phonetics, the term has the distinct meaning defined above, pertaining exclusively to speech production. The two definitions represent the same term used in different scientific domains.

Noun

1. the system of joints in the body