VOICE 'AND SPEECH 



583 



and at puberty there is a considerable development in the size of 

 the larynx in both sexes. This is especially marked in the male, and 

 accounts for the sudden drop in pitch (' breaking ') of the voice. In 



J 



FIG. 253. Three laryngoscopic views of the superior aperture of the 

 larynx and surrounding parts in different states of the glottis during 

 life. (FromCzERMAK.) 



A, the glottis during the emission of a high note in singing. B, in easy 

 or quiet inhalation of air. C, in the state of widest possible dilatation, as 

 in inhaling a very deep breath. The diagrams A', B', C' have been added 

 to Czermak's figures to show in horizontal sections of the glottis the posi- 

 tion of the vocal ligaments and arytenoid cartilages in the three several 

 states represented in the other figures. In all the figures so far as marked, 

 the letters indicate the parts as follows, viz. : I, the base of the tongue ; 

 e, the upper free part of the epiglottis ; e', the tubercle or cushion of the 

 epiglottis ; p h, part of the anterior wall of the pharynx behind the larynx ; 

 in the margin of the aryteno-epiglottidean fold w, the swelling of the mem- 

 brane caused by the cuneiform cartilage ; s, that of the corniculum ; a, the 

 tip of the arytenoid cartilages ; c v, the true vocal cords or lips of the rima 

 glottidis ; c v s, the superior or false vocal cords ; between them the ven- 

 tricle of the larynx ; in C, t r is placed on the anterior wall of the receding 

 trachea, and b indicates the commencement of the two bronchi beyond the 

 bifurcation, which may be brought into view in this state of extreme 

 dilatation. 



the female the increased size of the larynx is chiefly perceptible in the 

 increase in fulness and richness of the voice which occurs at this age. 

 Even when we take all the voices together, bass, tenor, alto, and 

 soprano, the total range for ordinary individuals does not exceed three 

 octaves. In singing the voice may be produced in various ways, i.e. in 

 different registers. Thus we distinguish the chest register, the middle 



