| Velopharyngeal inadequacy | |
|---|---|
| Other names | VPI |
| Specialty | Oral and maxillofacial surgery  |
Velopharyngeal inadequacy is a malfunction of a velopharyngeal mechanism which is responsible for directing the transmission of sound energy and air pressure in both the oral cavity and the nasal cavity. When this mechanism is impaired in some way, the valve does not fully close, and a condition known as "velopharyngeal inadequacy" can develop. VPI can either be congenital or acquired later in life.