explain how the larynx works
Answers
Answer:
larynx look like a curtains that have been drawn open slightly. The vocal cords run along their edges. The gap between the two vocal cords is called the glottis. ... When we breathe out, air flows through the gap between the vocal cords.
Answer:
The larynx (/ˈlærɪŋks/), commonly called the voice box, is an organ in the top of the neck of tetrapods involved in breathing, producing sound, and protecting the trachea against food aspiration. The larynx houses the vocal folds, and manipulates pitch and volume, which is essential for phonation.
Explanation:
HoThe larynx is made of 3 main cartilages (one is paired), 1 bone, and 5 muscle groups.
The vocal folds are attached to the cartilages. The 2 main cartilages can rock and glide on top of each other to change the vocal folds' shape.
There are muscles that help bring the vocal folds together.
The vocal folds come together to
a) keep unwanted particles out of the lungs
b) stop airflow
c) phonate (i.e. make sound, speaking, singing)
There are muscles that open the vocal folds.
The vocal folds open to
a) let air in (inhalation/inspiration)
b) let air out (exhalation/expiration)
The opening and bring together muscles are antagonistic (when one activates, the other has to release). However, except in extreme cases, the opening and bring together muscles are always activated simultaneously. Their trade-off happens rapidly in a back-and-forth manner, adjusting as needed in response to breath and acoustic variables, and to our desired outcome as encouraged by the brain.
There are muscles that stretch and thin the vocal folds
In phonation, when the vocal folds stretch they
a) change the pitch created by the vocal folds
b) increase tension on the vocal folds to create higher pitches
There are muscles that shorten and thicken the vocal folds
In phonation, when the vocal folds thicken they
a) contribute to a 'heavier' sound
b) contribute to a 'louder' sound
c) decrease tension on the vocal folds to create lower pitches
The stretching and thickening muscles are antagonistic (when one activates, the other has to release). However, except in extreme cases, both the stretching and thickening muscles are always activated simultaneously. Their trade-off happens rapidly in a back-and-forth manner. This article by Soren Lowell and Brad Story explains in greater detail the uniqueness of these muscle's antagonism based on simulated trials.