What is the larynx — and how does it work? - video Dailymotion

DW (English)

The larynx acts like a valve in your throat—but it also gives your voice its unique sound and emotional depth. Discover how this small organ does big things in our animated explainer.

Transcript

00:00this is the larynx it has an important job operating a lever when we breathe it

00:09keeps the airway open so air can flow into the lungs but when we swallow it quickly shuts the

00:15epiglottis so that nothing gets into the lungs by mistake to be honest though it's a bit over

00:22qualified for the job as it happens the larynx has a special talent it can turn the air we exhale into

00:33sound the organ is tucked away between the pharynx and the trachea just above the thyroid gland

00:42it's made of three main pieces of cartilage one is the epiglottis ligaments and muscles keep the

00:53larynx suspended from the hyoid bone the hyoid is the only bone in the body that isn't connected to

00:59any other and it's often missing from anatomical diagrams when we breathe the vocal folds are wide

01:06open sound is created when they form a narrow gap and begin to vibrate during puberty the larynx goes

01:16through big changes triggered by hormones one visible sign is the protruding cartilage better

01:27known as the adam's apple while puberty is going on the pitch of the voice can shift in some very

01:35unexpected ways but the larynx learns to manage its talent with help from the lungs and tongue it

01:45becomes the centerpiece of the voice it's especially good at producing vowels and rich resonant tones

01:54many different muscles influence the volume position and tension of the vocal cords allowing for a wide

02:00variety of sounds but the larynx is also highly sensitive to emotions

02:10stress nervousness and fear increase muscle tension and can make the voice tremble or even disappear

02:19altogether the menstrual cycle can also have a strong effect on the voice

02:26but when the larynx is in top form it can do just about anything whether it's singing from the soul

02:35or delivering powerful speeches it gives the voice character and emotional depth but even with all

02:43that talent the larynx never forgets its day job it's far too important for that

What is the larynx — and how does it work?

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