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
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
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