The Larynx: The Two Main Functions
The larynx has two main functions: it acts, first, as a valve to protect the lungs and, second, as mechanism for producing sound. Describe how the larynx produces sound, including in your own words a description of the different anatomical parts and their interaction.
The larynx is a vital part of the mechanism in our bodies that produces sound. It is basically made up of a series of cartilages, which also includes the thyroid or what would be an Adam’s apple on a male. As stated in the sentence above, one function of the larynx is to protect the lungs. It does so by closing shut whenever food is swallowed, making sure the food does not go down the windpipe and into the lungs. The larynx is also one of the anatomical structures in our bodies …show more content…
responsible for producing sound. The larynx, or voice-box, is suspended with muscles from all four directions so that it does not move with slight movements of the head and neck. However, its two functions cannot occur simultaneously. You can imagine someone chocking when he talks while eating. This is because in order for him to produce sound, the larynx has to open up, allowing air flow from the lungs to the nose and mouth. However, this also means that the food can get into the lungs through the larynx as well.
At the base of the larynx is the cricoids cartilage, which is shaped like a ring.
On top of the cricoids cartilages and towards the rear are the arytenoids, which are two small cartilages, linked by muscle and ligament to the cricoids cartilages. The arytenoids can move flexibly which also means that the vocal folds can be manipulated easily, which will be elaborated on in more detail later on in my essay. A concaved cartilage called the thyroid cartilage is on top of the cricoids cartilages and the front of it is where the Adam’s apple is located. These cartilages become stiffer with age and the lubricating joint fluid becomes thicker as well. As mentioned previously, the larynx is suspended by muscles. The hyoid bone connects the jaw, the bottom part of the skull and larynx. A series of paired muscles are responsible for moving the cartilages in the larynx and ultimately the quality and production of sound. Their movement determines how the vocal folds move, which will be touched on later in my essay as …show more content…
well.
Like any other system in our body, the larynx cannot work alone to produce sound.
Some of the most vital structures that work with the larynx to produce sound are the vocal folds, the lungs, and the resonators. The larynx holds the vocal folds, which are the source of the sound, of vibrations in the air that we hear. Firstly, air is exhaled from the lungs, which then goes through the trachea, also known as the windpipe. This is where the vocal folds do their job. Working like the opening of a balloon, air exhaled will have to pass through the vocal folds to escape. Initially closed, these folds vibrate when the air passes through, causing a sound to be made. With even a basic understanding of physics, we will know that the more stretched the folds are, the tighter the glottis or the gap between the folds will be and hence, leading to higher frequency and pitch. This is not unlike the high-pitched howling you would hear when a window is left slightly ajar on a windy day. On the other hand, when the vocal folds are less stretched, it leads to a lower frequency and lower-pitch. The vocal folds also close and open in coordination with singing, speaking, lifting and swallowing. Another feature of the vocal folds is the ability to thicken and shorten, creating heavier registration. (Bunch, 1995) The part responsible for moving the vocal folds are adducted by the lateral crico-arytenoids and inter-arytenoids, which are also connected to the arytenoid cartilages. The lateral
crico-arytenoids contract, the vocal folds are brought closer together. The inter-arytenoids help to completely close the glottis. The crico-thyroids contract, causing the vocal folds to stretch. Hence, they are important structures in determining pitch. Another structure involves with pitch is the prosterior crico-arytenoid muscles which act as antagonists to the crico-thyroids. (Bunch, 1995) Lastly, the internal thyro-artenoid forms the main part of the vocal folds. By contracting, it increases tension in the muscle, bringing the thyroid closer to the artenoids and changing the sound quality.
The folds in the larynx are made up of two pairs: the true vocal folds and the false folds. The main function of the false fold is to lubricate the true vocal folds and ensure that there isn’t too much friction between them. Hence, they are significant because they ensure a smoother sound quality and prevent frictional damage on the true vocal folds. This brings me to my next point of lubrication of the vocal structures. The larynx must be lubricated at all times and is coated with a mucous membrane to ensure this. This ensures that the vocal folds can move freely, reducing harmonic vibrations.
The resonators are yet another group of structures vital to producing sound. As we all know, sound cannot occur in a vacuum. Therefore, cavities in our bodies allow sound to bounce off the walls and travel through the air. The mouth and throat are one of the main resonators in our bodies. Connected together, they create a vast amount of space, which coupled together with their flexibility, make them the main means of adjusting the voice. The shape of the throat and mouth can be adjusted by moving the larynx, tongue and the lower part of the face. (McCallion, 1998)
In conclusion, the larynx is not only a vital anatomical structure in producing and manipulating sound, but also in protecting our lungs from any unwanted particles. It is significant to voice production as it houses the vocal folds, which are what produces the sound by causing the air to vibrate in the first place. However, the larynx has to also work with other structures in order to produce and manipulate sound, such as the cavities, lungs and facial structures.
Bibliography
Bunch, M. (1995). The anatomy of the vibratory mechanism. In Dynamics of the singing voice (p. 63). Springer-Verlag.
McCallion, M. (1998). The Voice Book. ROUTLEDGE.
The larynx is a vital part of the mechanism in our bodies that produces sound. It is basically made up of a series of cartilages, which also includes the thyroid or what would be an Adam’s apple on a male. As stated in the sentence above, one function of the larynx is to protect the lungs. It does so by closing shut whenever food is swallowed, making sure the food does not go down the windpipe and into the lungs. The larynx is also one of the anatomical structures in our bodies …show more content…
responsible for producing sound. The larynx, or voice-box, is suspended with muscles from all four directions so that it does not move with slight movements of the head and neck. However, its two functions cannot occur simultaneously. You can imagine someone chocking when he talks while eating. This is because in order for him to produce sound, the larynx has to open up, allowing air flow from the lungs to the nose and mouth. However, this also means that the food can get into the lungs through the larynx as well.
At the base of the larynx is the cricoids cartilage, which is shaped like a ring.
On top of the cricoids cartilages and towards the rear are the arytenoids, which are two small cartilages, linked by muscle and ligament to the cricoids cartilages. The arytenoids can move flexibly which also means that the vocal folds can be manipulated easily, which will be elaborated on in more detail later on in my essay. A concaved cartilage called the thyroid cartilage is on top of the cricoids cartilages and the front of it is where the Adam’s apple is located. These cartilages become stiffer with age and the lubricating joint fluid becomes thicker as well. As mentioned previously, the larynx is suspended by muscles. The hyoid bone connects the jaw, the bottom part of the skull and larynx. A series of paired muscles are responsible for moving the cartilages in the larynx and ultimately the quality and production of sound. Their movement determines how the vocal folds move, which will be touched on later in my essay as …show more content…
well.
Like any other system in our body, the larynx cannot work alone to produce sound.
Some of the most vital structures that work with the larynx to produce sound are the vocal folds, the lungs, and the resonators. The larynx holds the vocal folds, which are the source of the sound, of vibrations in the air that we hear. Firstly, air is exhaled from the lungs, which then goes through the trachea, also known as the windpipe. This is where the vocal folds do their job. Working like the opening of a balloon, air exhaled will have to pass through the vocal folds to escape. Initially closed, these folds vibrate when the air passes through, causing a sound to be made. With even a basic understanding of physics, we will know that the more stretched the folds are, the tighter the glottis or the gap between the folds will be and hence, leading to higher frequency and pitch. This is not unlike the high-pitched howling you would hear when a window is left slightly ajar on a windy day. On the other hand, when the vocal folds are less stretched, it leads to a lower frequency and lower-pitch. The vocal folds also close and open in coordination with singing, speaking, lifting and swallowing. Another feature of the vocal folds is the ability to thicken and shorten, creating heavier registration. (Bunch, 1995) The part responsible for moving the vocal folds are adducted by the lateral crico-arytenoids and inter-arytenoids, which are also connected to the arytenoid cartilages. The lateral
crico-arytenoids contract, the vocal folds are brought closer together. The inter-arytenoids help to completely close the glottis. The crico-thyroids contract, causing the vocal folds to stretch. Hence, they are important structures in determining pitch. Another structure involves with pitch is the prosterior crico-arytenoid muscles which act as antagonists to the crico-thyroids. (Bunch, 1995) Lastly, the internal thyro-artenoid forms the main part of the vocal folds. By contracting, it increases tension in the muscle, bringing the thyroid closer to the artenoids and changing the sound quality.
The folds in the larynx are made up of two pairs: the true vocal folds and the false folds. The main function of the false fold is to lubricate the true vocal folds and ensure that there isn’t too much friction between them. Hence, they are significant because they ensure a smoother sound quality and prevent frictional damage on the true vocal folds. This brings me to my next point of lubrication of the vocal structures. The larynx must be lubricated at all times and is coated with a mucous membrane to ensure this. This ensures that the vocal folds can move freely, reducing harmonic vibrations.
The resonators are yet another group of structures vital to producing sound. As we all know, sound cannot occur in a vacuum. Therefore, cavities in our bodies allow sound to bounce off the walls and travel through the air. The mouth and throat are one of the main resonators in our bodies. Connected together, they create a vast amount of space, which coupled together with their flexibility, make them the main means of adjusting the voice. The shape of the throat and mouth can be adjusted by moving the larynx, tongue and the lower part of the face. (McCallion, 1998)
In conclusion, the larynx is not only a vital anatomical structure in producing and manipulating sound, but also in protecting our lungs from any unwanted particles. It is significant to voice production as it houses the vocal folds, which are what produces the sound by causing the air to vibrate in the first place. However, the larynx has to also work with other structures in order to produce and manipulate sound, such as the cavities, lungs and facial structures.
Bibliography
Bunch, M. (1995). The anatomy of the vibratory mechanism. In Dynamics of the singing voice (p. 63). Springer-Verlag.
McCallion, M. (1998). The Voice Book. ROUTLEDGE.