The human voice is a secondary function inserted on some physiological organs with other

primary functions: breathing and swallowing. In essence, a stream of air from the lungs to be
transformed as it passes through the vocal apparatus, to become appropriate sounds for
human communication.
The vocal
parts:

apparatus has

1. The
infraglottic
(respiratory organs)

three

main

cavities

2. The laryngeal cavity or glottis

(vocal organ)
3. Supraglottic cavities (organs of
articulation)

1.1. The infraglticas cavities

In the cavities located below the glottis are the respiratory organs: diaphragm, lungs, bronchi
and trachea.
The important for our purposes is the second moment of breathing: the exhalation. 1 The
bronchi and trachea are mere pipe, without any linguistic function.

1.2. Laryngeal cavity (phonation)

The larynx is a species of cartilaginous box located at the end of the trachea. It is mobile: it
can ascend or descend, although his usual position is inferior. 2

The larynx is composed of four cartilage:

- Cricoid: base is in the form of ring.
- Thyroid (walnut or morsel of Adam) as a shield.
- The two arytenoids, highly mobile.
In the larynx houses the vocal cords, which are
themselves two muscles, also known in medicine as vocal
folds. They are attached to the thyroid and the two
arytenoid, who are responsible for their movement.
Glottis is the triangular space between the vocal cords
when they are open.
Medical examination techniques allow you to see in detail
the performance of the vocal cords. Stand here for two
endoscopic videos donated by Dr. Agustn Prez
Izquierdo .
In breathing,
vocal cords
remain open,
freeing the
airway.Durin
g phonation,
the vocal
cords close
and vibrate
due to the
subglottic air
pressure
against the
glottis.

The
vibration of
the vocal
cords is too
fast to be
seen with
the naked
eye. If we
perform
endoscopy
with a
source set
to the
frequency
of vibration
of the
subject
strobe get
the illusion
of seeing a
vibrating

vocal cords
"slow
motion".
In short, the air pressure causes the glottis open and close. The frequency of vibration of the
vocal cords is the same as that of the sound wave originated.
The sound -the voice is thus set infragltica the effect of pressure and tension of the
strings. The tone can climb the highest air pressure and increased string tension (and also
its thinner).
Indeed, the movement of the vocal cords generates the first great divide between articulate
sounds:
- Sound Sounds, if the vocal cords vibrate.
- Sounds deaf, if the vocal cords do not vibrate.

1.3. Supraglottic cavities (joint)

After passing through the larynx, the air column (vibrating or not) passes the pharynx.

First, the action of the soft palate

generates another great division
articulate sounds:
1. Oral, if
the
veil
is
attached
to
the
pharyngeal wall and the
air passes through the
oral cavity.
2. Nasal, if the veil shuts out
the oral cavity, and the air
passes through the nasal
cavity.
3. If
you
are
open
simultaneously the oral
and nasal cavity, the
resulting
sounds
are oronasal (usually
called nasal vowels).
The oral cavity varies greatly in
shape and size, thanks to the high
mobility of several of its members
(other are not mobile).
The palate has two areas:
1. Hard palate, subdivided
into prepaladar,
mediopaladar and post
paladar.
2. Soft
palate or velum, subdivi
ded
into
two
areas: prevelar and post
velar.
The language has three areas:
1. The apex or tip.
2. The reverse side or top,
subdivided
into predorso,

mediodorso and postdo

rso.
3. The root, at the rear end.
The upper and lower incisors close
the mouth.
Alveoli are a transition zone
between the upper incisors and the
beginning of the palate.
The lips have great mobility.