The Voice Box: A Simple Anatomy Breakdown

Ever wonder how your voice produces sound?

The voice box, more importantly known as the larynx, is a remarkable structure that plays a pivotal role in our ability to communicate, breath, and even swallow.

At its core, the larynx is a complex organ located in the neck, nestled between the base of the tongue and the top of the windpipe, or trachea. Not only does the larynx house the vocal cords, but it also serves as a barrier of the airway, preventing food and liquids from entering the lungs while swallowing food.

Diving into the larynx we meet the key players:

1. Hyoid Bone: just above the larynx lies a horseshoe-shaped bone. It serves as an attachment point for various muscles involved in the speech production of a human. The position and shape of this bone determines the quality and pitch of the bone. Fun fact! It is the only bone that does not directly articulate with any other bone in the human body.

2. Epiglottis: A flap of cartilage located at the base of the tongue in the throat. Its role in speech production is modulating airflow through the vocal tract.

3. Thyrohyoid Membrane: a thin, fibrous structure located below the hyoid bone. It controls the tension and position of the larynx during speech. Contributing to the production of different vocal sounds.

4. Ventricle: or the false vocal cords are located above the true vocal cords within the larynx. They help to regulate airflow and pressure within the structure.

5. Vocal Cords: made of tissue, specifically layers of mucous membrane, the vocal cords vibrate to produce sound for speech. Creating sound waves allows for the modulation of pitch, volume, and tone.

6. Cricoid Cartilage: a firm, ring-shaped structure located in the lower part of the larynx. It provides support and stability during speech and manages tension in the vocal cords.

7. Trachea: a tube-like structure that extends from the larynx to the main branches of the respiratory system in the chest. It helps to carry air from the lungs to the vocal cords.

This information is from an online course I completed, Voice Disorders: What Patients and Professionals Need to Know, taught by Dr. Courey, Mark S. Courey on Coursea.org.

Thanks for reading!