What are vocal cords and what is their function?

Prepare for your Anatomy and Physiology II Exam with our comprehensive exam resources. Utilize flashcards, multiple choice questions with hints, and detailed explanations. Boost your readiness for success!

Multiple Choice

What are vocal cords and what is their function?

Vocal cords are elastic bands inside the larynx (the voice box) that vibrate to produce sound. When air from the lungs passes through the open glottis, these cords come together and then vibrate, creating voice. Their tension and length, adjusted by laryngeal muscles, change the pitch and quality of the sound. They aren’t the lining of the trachea, the cartilage rings of the trachea, or the epiglottis (which covers the airway during swallowing); those structures have other roles in protecting and guiding air rather than producing voice.

Vocal cords are elastic bands inside the larynx (the voice box) that vibrate to produce sound. When air from the lungs passes through the open glottis, these cords come together and then vibrate, creating voice. Their tension and length, adjusted by laryngeal muscles, change the pitch and quality of the sound. They aren’t the lining of the trachea, the cartilage rings of the trachea, or the epiglottis (which covers the airway during swallowing); those structures have other roles in protecting and guiding air rather than producing voice.

More practice questions