Final answer:
Velopharyngeal insufficiency or incompetence refers to the inadequate closure of the velopharyngeal port during swallowing, speech, and respiration. It can result from various factors such as physiological deficits, pharyngeal hypotonia, velar paresis, paralysis secondary to cranial nerve or brainstem injury, neuromuscular disorders, motor speech disorders, impaired muscle function or dysfunction, and secondary to cleft palate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Velopharyngeal insufficiency or incompetence refers to the inadequate closure of the velopharyngeal port during swallowing, speech, and respiration. It can result from various factors such as physiological deficits, pharyngeal hypotonia, velar paresis, paralysis secondary to cranial nerve or brainstem injury, neuromuscular disorders, motor speech disorders, impaired muscle function or dysfunction, and secondary to cleft palate.