CHAPTER X. 



THE VOICE. 



THE delicate mechanism and capabilities of the ear are 

 fully matched by the fine adjustment and range of the voice. 

 The organ of the voice is well worthy of study, if we look at 

 it merely as a most ingenious contrivance, to say nothing of 

 its importance to us as a means of expressing thought. 



But to understand the mechanism, it is necessary to ex- 

 amine the structure itself, for no mere description can make 

 clear its parts and their relations. 



We can learn a little from the observation of our own 

 mouths and throats. The projection of the throat known as 

 "Adam's Apple" is one angle of the Thyroid cartilage. A 

 ridge may be felt running downward from the projecting 

 angle. Above the Adam's apple a depression may be felt. 

 Press the tip of the finger lightly into this depression and 

 perform the act of swallowing. It will be noted that the 

 Adam's apple is drawn upward and closer to the bone above 

 the depression. This bone is the Hyoid bone ; it is connected 

 with the larynx below the base of the tongue. Below the 

 thyroid cartilage another cartilage may be felt, the Cricoid 

 cartilage. Below this is the windpipe with its rings of car- 

 tilage. The general form of the whole larynx may be felt in 

 a person not overburdened with fat. 



By depressing the tongue and looking into the mouth the 

 tip of the epiglottis may possibly be seen at the base of the 

 tongue. Beyond these points we cannot learn much without 

 dissection. A small mirror set oblique!}- on a handle (like 



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