What is articulatory phonetics in linguistics?

The articulatory phonetics examines the sounds of human language in terms of speech organs. It explores how individuals form their words. Specific parts of the human body, termed “organs of speech,” are employed to articulate words. These speech organs encompass the voice box, lungs, oral cavity, nasal cavity, pharyngeal cavity, tongue, teeth, glottis, lips, and inner surfaces of the mouth. The airflow necessary for sound production originates from the lungs and traverses through the mouth and/or nose. The glottis, tongue, and teeth are instrumental in modifying the airflow to generate distinct sounds.
In articulatory phonetics, linguists concentrate on the articulatory placement of various sounds. The articulation point is where the outgoing air is obstructed, creating a specific sound. For instance, a dental stop occurs when the tongue contacts the teeth during the pronunciation of specific consonants. The pronunciation phonetic method also involves vocalization. Sounds produced without the use of vocal cords are termed voiceless, while sounds utilizing vocal cords are voiced. For instance, when articulating the “t” sound, vocal cords are not engaged, making it a “voiceless dental stop.” In contrast, when using vocal cords for the “d” sound, it becomes a “voiced dental stop.”