Larynx
Quick Definition
The voice box containing the vocal folds and cartilage structures responsible for phonation, located in the neck at the top of the trachea.
Factual Definition
A complex musculocartilaginous structure composed of the thyroid, cricoid, and arytenoid cartilages, the epiglottis, and intrinsic muscles including the thyroarytenoid, cricothyroid, lateral and posterior cricoarytenoids, and interarytenoids. The larynx houses the vocal folds and regulates airflow for breathing, voice production, and airway protection (Hirano, 1975; Titze, 1994).