Velopharyngeal closure may be observed directly with a laryngeal telescope 6 mm in diameter. The speech sample used during the endoscopic examination should include several repetitions of a plosive consonant to insure sustained closure. Thirty-four normal subjects were observed, and the percentage of occurrence in four categories of velar and lateral wall approximation was calculated and categorized. To confirm the observations, cineradiographic (lateral and submentovertical projections) and telescopic observations were compared. Parallel observations were made for both methods. The procedure for using the telescope is explained, and issues relating to interpretation of telescopic observations are discussed.