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Larynx Information Larynx also known as the voice box in simple terms is a small tube located anterior to esophagus and below the tongue and hyoid bone in the neck. Larynx is supported with various cartilages, intrinsic and extrinsic muscles, interconnecting ligaments and mucosal lining. Nine cartilages support the wall of the larynx that is linked together with connective tissue membranes and ligaments. Larynx performs three important functions –
- It is a portion of our passageway through which we breathe.
- During the swallowing process the cartilages in larynx close its entrance so that the food and drink can not pass through it. This it protects the lungs from the food we eat.
- It forms the basic source of the voice. For the generation of voice air comes up from the lungs through the windpipe and vibrates the closed vocal cords and thus a subsequent sound is produced. Generation of voice is not the direct function of larynx but it is the responsibility of the vocal cords, however the vocal cords resided in larynx so indirectly it is also important in generation of voice.
Any damage to the larynx due to some disease or surgery can impair all these three functions possibly and depending on the condition a treatment or surgery would follow.
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