结构分析方法可以用于讨论汉语从上古到中古、从中古到现代两个阶段里音节类型的结构性变化。文章从20世纪50年代由雅柯布森等人提出的"区别性特征"理论中锐钝、平降两项对立特征出发，用多项个案，指出了声母或介音锐钝对韵母元音的影响，降音性声母辅音对韵腹元音或介音由开变合的影响。由此说明结构成分分析法是探讨汉语音系演变的重要方法之一。

This thesis discusses the structural change of syllable pattern from Old Chinese to Middle Chinese and from Middle Chinese to modern Mandarin. Referring to the theory of "distinctive features", especially two pairs of features, i.e. acute vs. grave and plain vs. flat, we provide several cases to exemplify the effect of acute or grave initial consonant or medial on final main vowel, and the effect on each other of initial consonant and final main vowel. These cases show the significance of structural analysis for Chinese historical phonology.