(Greater Baltimore Medical Center)
| Background Research | Findings | Sources |
The larynx is a significant structure in the human body necessary for respiration, swallowing, and voice production. Composed of many different cartilages, muscles, and ligaments, the larynx is a very intricate part of our voice system. It helps protect our airway and lungs by preventing food and drink from passing through. Commonly referred to as the “voice box”, it houses the vocal folds, which vibrate when air passes through the tube, creating sound. During this process “various muscles adjust the tension of the cords as well as the space between them, thus varying the pitch of the sounds” (The Columbia Encyclopedia).
(Greater Baltimore Medical Center)
Anatomy:
Thyroid Cartilage- located in the anterior wall of the larynx, protects vocal folds
Arytenoid Cartilage- attached to vocal folds, allow them to be tense, relaxed, or approximated
Cricoid Cartilage- ring of cartilage around trachea, provides attachments for structures involved in opening and closing the airway
Trachea- maintains and protects airway
Epiglottis- prevents food from going into the trachea