Larynx

Overview:

The larynx, commonly known as the voice box, is an organ in the throat located at the top of the trachea. It houses the vocal folds, which vibrate to produce the voice, and it serves as a critical valve protecting the airway during swallowing (by closing to prevent food or liquid from entering the lungs). Structurally, the larynx is made up of cartilage (such as the thyroid cartilage that forms the “Adam’s apple”), muscles, and ligaments, and it is lined with mucous membrane; it connects the throat (pharynx) with the windpipe (trachea).

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Sources:

Encyclopædia Britannica. “Larynx.” (Last updated May 31, 2025). Link