Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionAssociated ConditionsTests
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anatomy
Function
Associated Conditions
Tests
Commonly called the voice box, the larynx is located on top of the neck and is essential for breathing, vocalizing, as well as ensuring food doesn’t get stuck in the trachea and cause choking. Sitting just in front of theesophagus, the vocal folds are located here, making this organ absolutely vital for phonation (making speech sounds).It visibly moves up and down when people swallow. This part of the body can be subject to a number of significant medical conditions, including bacterial infection (laryngitis), laryngeal cancer, and vocal fold paralysis (VFP), which can seriously compromise function.
SEBASTIAN KAULITZKI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images
Structure
The larynx is a complex band of cartilage, ligament, and muscle as well as a mucous membrane. A hollow structure, it’s formed of three large sections of cartilage that are unpaired—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—as well as six smaller cartilages. Here’s a quick breakdown of the large cartilages:
Finally, there are a couple free-hanging cartilages, the cuneiform cartilages, located in a membrane called the aryepiglottic membrane, which represents the upper margin of the membrane that connects the arytenoid cartilages to the epiglottic cartilage.This is covered in mucus and forms a structure called the aryepiglottic fold.
It’s also important to look at the interior of the larynx, or laryngeal cavity, which houses important structures, including the vocal cords. This space extends along the opening to the lower portion of the cricoid cartilage; it’s thinner in the middle, and wider in the upper and lower portions. Anatomically speaking, it’s divided into three sections:
Notably, the larynx is associated with two groups of muscles—extrinsic and intrinsic. The former of these move the structure as a whole and move the hyoid, flexing during swallowing and vocalization. In turn, intrinsic muscles are much smaller, and are involved in moving the actual vocal cords during breathing, vocalizing, and swallowing.
Location
The larynx sits at the front of the neck between the third and seventh neck vertebrae (C3 to C7), where it’s suspended in position. The upper portion of this organ is attached to the lower portion of thepharynx, or throat, via the hyoid bone. Its lower border connects to the upper portion of thetrachea(also known as the windpipe), which is an important part of the upper respiratory system.
Anatomical Variations
Primarily, differences are seen between male and female larynxes. In men, this feature is more prominent, largely because of a thicker thyroid, and it is angled at 90 degrees, versus 120 degrees in women.As with many parts of the body, there are also a number of other anatomical variations:
Vocal Fry: Defining a Common Language Register
Additionally, the larynx plays an important role in preventing food from becoming stuck in the airway. When people swallow, the epiglottis shifts downward, blocking off the trachea.The food or liquid then moves to the esophagus, which runs alongside the trachea, and delivers material to the stomach.
A number of conditions can affect this part of the body. These vary from inflammations due to illnesses to cancer. Primarily, these include:
Laryngitis
This inflammation of the larynx can be chronic—that is, lasting over three weeks—or acute, with the latter being more common. Symptoms of this condition include hoarse voice, pain, coughing, and, in some cases, fever. Acute laryngitis is often the result of either viral or bacterialupper respiratory tract infection, with a significant number of cases resulting from fungal growth. Chronic cases tend to be the result of smoking, allergies, or stomach acid reflux. Those who use their voices often, such as singers, teachers, and those in other professions, may experience inflammation of the larynx due to overuse.
Is Laryngitis Contagious?
Vocal Fold Paralysis
Resulting from paralysis of the vagus nerve or recurrentlaryngeal nerve, which innervates the intrinsic laryngeal muscles, vocal fold paralysis (VFP) is the result of a number of conditions, including head or neck injury, stroke, tumors, infections, or other neurological issues. As a result, speech and vocalization function can be severely impacted. This condition sometimes resolves on its own, thoughspeech-language therapyor treatment of underlying causes may be needed to take on this issue.
Overview of Vocal Fold Paralysis
Laryngeal Cancer
This form of cancer arises in the glottis, and, like others, can spread aggressively. This leads to hoarseness, changes in voice, the development of lumps in the neck, cough, as well as challenges swallowing. As with other cancers, patients undergo either surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
Who Gets Laryngeal (Voice Box) Cancer?
Careful assessment of the larynx is necessary to ensure proper diagnosis of any condition as well as overall function. Here’s a quick breakdown:
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ocran E.Larynx. Kenhub.Suárez-Quintanilla J, Cabrera A, Sharma S.Anatomy: head and neck, larynx. StatPearls.Dereli AK, Acar K, Kutlu E, Sahin B.Evaluation of the relationship between anthropometric measurements of thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, sex and stature: an autopsy study.Rom J Leg Med. 2019;27(3):258-63. doi:10.4323/rjlm.2019.258Wilson I, Stevens J, Gnananandan J, Nabeebaccus A, Sandison A, Hunter A.Triticeal cartilage: the forgotten cartilage.Surg Radiol Anat. 2017;39(10):1135-1141. doi:10.1007/s00276-017-1841-zWinzek C, Hartrampf L, Kampschulte M et al.Unilateral and bilateral agenesis of the upper thyroid horns — A morphometric analysis of the larynx.Forensic Sci Int; 301:225-230.Informed Health.How does the larynx work?Cornell Medicine, Sean Parker Institute for the Voice.How are the vocal folds and larynx examined?.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ocran E.Larynx. Kenhub.Suárez-Quintanilla J, Cabrera A, Sharma S.Anatomy: head and neck, larynx. StatPearls.Dereli AK, Acar K, Kutlu E, Sahin B.Evaluation of the relationship between anthropometric measurements of thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, sex and stature: an autopsy study.Rom J Leg Med. 2019;27(3):258-63. doi:10.4323/rjlm.2019.258Wilson I, Stevens J, Gnananandan J, Nabeebaccus A, Sandison A, Hunter A.Triticeal cartilage: the forgotten cartilage.Surg Radiol Anat. 2017;39(10):1135-1141. doi:10.1007/s00276-017-1841-zWinzek C, Hartrampf L, Kampschulte M et al.Unilateral and bilateral agenesis of the upper thyroid horns — A morphometric analysis of the larynx.Forensic Sci Int; 301:225-230.Informed Health.How does the larynx work?Cornell Medicine, Sean Parker Institute for the Voice.How are the vocal folds and larynx examined?.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ocran E.Larynx. Kenhub.Suárez-Quintanilla J, Cabrera A, Sharma S.Anatomy: head and neck, larynx. StatPearls.Dereli AK, Acar K, Kutlu E, Sahin B.Evaluation of the relationship between anthropometric measurements of thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, sex and stature: an autopsy study.Rom J Leg Med. 2019;27(3):258-63. doi:10.4323/rjlm.2019.258Wilson I, Stevens J, Gnananandan J, Nabeebaccus A, Sandison A, Hunter A.Triticeal cartilage: the forgotten cartilage.Surg Radiol Anat. 2017;39(10):1135-1141. doi:10.1007/s00276-017-1841-zWinzek C, Hartrampf L, Kampschulte M et al.Unilateral and bilateral agenesis of the upper thyroid horns — A morphometric analysis of the larynx.Forensic Sci Int; 301:225-230.Informed Health.How does the larynx work?Cornell Medicine, Sean Parker Institute for the Voice.How are the vocal folds and larynx examined?.
Ocran E.Larynx. Kenhub.
Suárez-Quintanilla J, Cabrera A, Sharma S.Anatomy: head and neck, larynx. StatPearls.
Dereli AK, Acar K, Kutlu E, Sahin B.Evaluation of the relationship between anthropometric measurements of thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, sex and stature: an autopsy study.Rom J Leg Med. 2019;27(3):258-63. doi:10.4323/rjlm.2019.258
Wilson I, Stevens J, Gnananandan J, Nabeebaccus A, Sandison A, Hunter A.Triticeal cartilage: the forgotten cartilage.Surg Radiol Anat. 2017;39(10):1135-1141. doi:10.1007/s00276-017-1841-z
Winzek C, Hartrampf L, Kampschulte M et al.Unilateral and bilateral agenesis of the upper thyroid horns — A morphometric analysis of the larynx.Forensic Sci Int; 301:225-230.
Informed Health.How does the larynx work?
Cornell Medicine, Sean Parker Institute for the Voice.How are the vocal folds and larynx examined?.
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