Which of the following best describes velopharyngeal incompetence?

Velopharyngeal incompetence refers to a condition where there is an inability to properly close off the nasal cavity during speech, which leads to the escape of air through the nose. This results in speech quality issues such as hypernasality and difficulties in producing certain sounds. Option B accurately describes this phenomenon as it highlights air leakage during speech, which is a key characteristic of velopharyngeal incompetence.

In contrast, the other options do not relate to this specific condition. The inability to sense taste does not directly involve velopharyngeal function, reduced saliva production pertains to salivary gland function rather than speech mechanisms, and abnormal jaw positioning relates to structural issues but does not specifically affect the velopharyngeal closure necessary for normal speech production. Thus, the emphasis on air leakage during speech captures the essence of velopharyngeal incompetence effectively.