What mechanism does a microbeam X-ray use to track movements?

The microbeam X-ray technology utilizes markers on articulators to track their movements during speech production. This method involves placing small radiopaque markers on specific anatomical locations within the oral and pharyngeal regions. As the individual speaks, the markers are visualized through the microbeam X-ray system, allowing researchers to capture and analyze the precise movement and positioning of the articulators, such as the tongue, lips, and jaw. By providing high temporal and spatial resolution, this technique enables a detailed understanding of the dynamics of speech production, facilitating research into articulatory patterns and phonetic analysis.

Other choices involve mechanisms that are not directly linked to articulatory movement tracking. For example, measuring electrical signals from the brain pertains more to neurophysiological studies rather than direct speech articulation. Analyzing sound wave properties relates to acoustic analysis rather than the visual tracking of movement. Finally, visualizing blood flow in the vocal tract is more relevant to medical imaging and research into physiological functions rather than articulatory mechanics.