Larynx

The larynx, or voice box, is a cartilagenous structure at the superior end of the trachea that protects the opening to the airway, and houses the vocal cords (or vocal ligaments) that control the pitch and volume of phonation (voice production).  The cricoid and thyroid cartilages are the large structural elements of the larynx, and the epiglottis is a flap of cartilage that swings down to cover the opening of the larynx during swallowing.  The vocal cords attach to the thyroid cartilage anteriorly.  Three pairs of small cartilages in the posterior part of the larynx change the position and tension of the vocal cords, the arytenoid cartilages (posterior attachment of the vocal cords), the corniculate cartilages, and the cuneiform cartilages.  Muscles involved in voice production are divided into intrinsic (control the vocal cords) and extrinsic (support the larynx) muscle groups.