There are nine cartilages which comprise both the internal and external anatomy of the larynx. Three are single cartilages;

• epiglotic

• thymoid

• cricoid

Three are paired cartilages:

• arytenoid

• corniculate

• cuneiform

Its’ interior can be divided in supraglottis, glottis, and subglottis. Sound is produced by two folds of tissue housed in the larynx (often mistakenly called the “vocal cords”). These vocal folds vibrate as air passes over them producing sound waves associated with singing and talking. The larynx is where the sound is produced and where the frequency (pitch) of the sound waves gets generated.

The vocal folds are situated right below where the pharynx splits into the trachea and the esophagus. When the vocal folds are held close together by the arytenoid cartilages they  vibrate. The muscles attached to the arytenoid cartilages controls the degree they are opened or closed.

The larynx achieves prevention of food into the trachea during swallowing. The backward motion of the tongue forces the epiglottis over the glottis’ opening to prevent swallowed food from entering the larynx which leads to the lungs.

As food is being swallowed any stimulation of the larynx by contact with it causes a strong coughing reflex which helps expel the food away from the larynx.The amount of air being forced from the lungs and to what degree the larynx is constricted is what raises the volume of sound produced in the larynx.