438 HANDBOOK OF PHYSIOLOGY. 



the epiglottis, the upper ligaments of the larynx or false vocal cords, 

 the ventricles between them and the inferior ligaments or true vocal 

 cords, and the upper part of the arytenoid cartilages, be all removed; 

 provided the true vocal cords remain entire, with their points of attach- 

 ment, and be kept tense and so approximated that the fissure of the glot- 

 tis may be narrow. 



The vocal ligaments or cords, therefore, are regarded as the proper 

 organs for the production of vocal sounds: the modifications of these 

 sounds being effected, as will be presently explained, by other parts 

 tongue, teeth, lips, etc., as well as by them. The structure of the vocal 

 cords is adapted to enable them to vibrate like tense membranes, for 

 they are essentially composed of elastic tissue; and they are so attached 



Carti~Wris6ergu 

 Cart, SantorinL 



Cart, aryten. 

 Trac. musciil. 



I jig"* nrlco-sryten, , 

 LSg, Derafowa3cx>^-pQSt, Tsnp, 



Cormdnfer. 

 Ug 1 . caratrcricD. jost. inf. 



S- 3?ats mcmbian. 



FIG. 303. The larynx as seen from behind after removal of the muscles. The cartilages and 

 ligaments only remain. (Stoerk.) 



to the cartilaginous parts of the larynx that their position and tension 

 can be variously altered by the contraction of the muscles which act on 

 these parts. 



Thus it will be seen that the larynx is the organ of voice. It may 

 be said to consist essentially of the two vocal cords and the various car- 

 tilaginous, muscular, and other apparatus by means of which not only 

 can the aperture of the larynx (rima glottidis), of which they are the 

 lateral boundaries, be closed against the entrance and exit of the air to 

 or from the lungs, but also by means of which the cords themselves can 

 be stretched or relaxed, shortened or lengthened, in accordance with the 

 conditions that may be necessary for the air in passing over them, to set 

 them vibrating and produce various sounds. Their action in respiration 

 has been already referred to. 



