Which branch of phonetics examines the functions of human speech and the involved body parts?

Articulatory phonetics is the branch of phonetics that focuses specifically on how sounds are produced by the human vocal apparatus. It studies the physical processes involved in articulating speech sounds and examines the movements and positions of the different anatomical structures, such as the tongue, lips, vocal cords, and palate, used in the production of speech.

By analyzing how these various parts work together to create distinct sounds, articulatory phonetics provides insight into the physical mechanisms that underpin human communication. This branch often involves looking at the types of consonants and vowels produced, how they are categorized based on the place and manner of articulation, and the way speech sounds are formed and modified during communication.

Understanding articulatory phonetics is fundamental for various applications, such as improving speech therapy techniques, refining accent training, and delving into linguistic research related to language development and disorders.