Voice

Voice is the sound produced by humans and other vertebrates using the lungs and the vocal folds in the larynx, or voice box. Voice is primarily used in human communication through the language used. The voice can be viewed as a combined product of the vocal fold vibration, the vocal tract shaping, and the respiratory system support.

Anatomy of the Voice

The human voice is produced in the larynx, a part of the respiratory system. The larynx houses the vocal folds, which are essential for phonation. The vocal folds are situated at the top of the trachea. They are a pair of thick, muscular bands that can open and close to create sounds.

Voice Production

Voice production involves three major components: the lungs as an air supply, the vocal folds as a sound source, and the articulators as a filter. The lung, the "pump" must produce adequate airflow and air pressure to vibrate vocal folds. The vocal folds then vibrate to use airflow from the lungs to create audible pulses that form the laryngeal sound source. The muscles of the larynx adjust the length and tension of the vocal folds to ‘fine-tune’ pitch and tone.

Voice Disorders

Voice disorders are medical conditions that impair the production of speech. These can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, disease, psychological stress, or certain medications. Some common voice disorders include laryngitis, vocal cord nodules, and vocal cord paralysis.

See Also

• Speech
• Speech-language pathology
• Vocal range
• Vocal resonation
• Phonation

References

Voice Resources
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