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MusclesHow is the voice made?
Inside your Adam’s apple, in your neck, are two little folds called vocal cords. When you talk, air from the lungs makes them vibrate, and that becomes sound. Then the mouth and tongue turn that sound into words.
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Questions people ask
Why do men have an Adam’s apple?
Everyone has a thyroid cartilage. At puberty, testosterone makes boys’ larynx grow more, and the angle of the cartilage gets sharper, so it shows more on the neck. That is also why their voice deepens.
Why do we get hoarse?
When the vocal folds swell, from shouting a lot, a cold or reflux, they don’t vibrate properly and the voice turns hoarse. Resting the voice and drinking water help. Hoarseness lasting more than two weeks should be checked by a doctor.
Why do we choke?
When you swallow, the epiglottis closes off the airway. If you talk or laugh while swallowing, a bit of food can slip into the airway, and the body coughs to clear it. If someone cannot breathe, speak or cough, it is an emergency: call for help.
What is the difference between the pharynx and the larynx?
The pharynx is the throat, the tube that carries both air and food. The larynx sits just below and in front: it is the voice box, which only air passes through, and it holds the vocal folds.
Sources
This text was written using these references:
- Respiratory System · National Cancer Institute (SEER Training)
This content has not been medically reviewed.