Larynx (Front-View)	Larynx (View from Above)

The Larynx

The larynx or "voice box" is an organ in your neck that has 3 important functions:

• It forms a portion of the passageway through which you breath.
  
• It protects your lungs from the food you eat.
  
• It is the source of your voice.
  

Any disease process and/or any surgery on the larynx can possibly affect one or all 3 of the above functions.  The consequences of the disease and its treatment will depend upon the specific disease, its extent, its exact location in the larynx, and the type of surgery or treatment needed.


The Vocal Cords

The paired vocal cords are muscles with mucous membrane coverings that form a V-shaped valve which opens and closes.  The paired arytenoids are cartilages that move the vocal cords.  The vocal cords open to let air flow between your nose or mouth and your lungs, and thereby allow you to breathe.  The vocal cords close when eating to protect your lungs form the food and liquid you ingest, and they close when you produce sound and/or speak.

Larynx while speaking (vocal cord adduction)	Larynx while breathing (vocal cord abduction)

Voice

The vocal cords are very fine "instruments."  When air comes up from the lungs and through the trachea (or windpipe), it vibrates closed vocal cords and sound is produced.  By changing the amount of airflow, the length of the vocal cords and/or the amount of "squeeze" on the vocal cords, we can change the pitch and loudness of our voice.  Therefore, anything that affects the way the vocal cords move, vibrate or close will affect your voice.