Facts about the Larynx

1. 08

   Singers can increase their vocal range by up to 2 octaves through laryngeal training that stretches and relaxes the vocal folds to approximately 65 millimeters in length.

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2. 07

   The epiglottis, a leaf-shaped cartilage atop the larynx, can close within 100 milliseconds to seal the airway during swallowing.

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3. 06

   In humans, the cricothyroid muscle is the only intrinsic laryngeal muscle innervated by the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve rather than the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

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4. 05

   A single human larynx produces sound through approximately 20 intrinsic muscles that coordinate to adjust tension, position, and airflow across the vocal folds.

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5. 04

   Recurrent laryngeal nerves, which control most laryngeal muscles, take a circuitous 15-inch path down to the chest before looping back up to innervate the vocal cords.

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6. 03

   During swallowing, the larynx rises approximately 1 to 2 centimeters and tilts forward to protect the airway from food and liquid entering the trachea.

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7. 02

   Cartilage in the larynx includes the thyroid cartilage, which is typically larger and more prominent in adult males due to testosterone exposure during puberty.

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8. 01

   Vocal fold vibrations in the larynx occur up to 1000 times per second when producing high-pitched sounds.

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