larynx

noun

lar·​ynx ˈler-iŋ(k)s 

ˈla-riŋ(k)s

plural larynges lə-ˈrin-(ˌ)jēz  or larynxes

: the modified upper part of the trachea of air-breathing vertebrates that in humans, most other mammals, and some amphibians and reptiles contains the vocal cords

Examples of larynx in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Mack could almost hear the constable’s brow furrow at this, and turned to him in time to see his mouth open as words of confusion and disbelief began to form in his larynx. —Quartz Staff, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024

After the larynx of each whale species was extracted, the team built a computational model of the entire whale larynx in the lab. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Feb. 2024

In the larynxes of most mammals, the vocal cords might get in the way of a massive flow of air. —Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024

There’s also the general unpredictability of putting enormous muscle pressure on the vocal cords, which are just thumbnail-size folds of tissue inside the larynx. —Marc Hogan, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2024

To test this, the researchers attached the three whale larynxes to pipes in the lab and blew air through them. —Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024

The larynx plays a large role in breathing, speaking, and swallowing. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 15 Feb. 2024

The dog was euthanized in the fall of 2022, less than six months before Ian's larynx abscess was diagnosed. —Detroit Free Press, 22 Feb. 2024

While both types of whales can still produce sound with their larynx, baleen whales have novel structures that do this. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 21 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin laryng-, larynx, from Greek

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

larynx

noun

lar·​ynx ˈlar-iŋ(k)s 

plural larynges lə-ˈrin-(ˌ)jēz  or larynxes

: the upper part of the trachea that in human beings and most mammals contains the vocal cords

called also voice box

Medical Definition

larynx

noun

lar·​ynx ˈlar-iŋ(k)s 

plural larynges lə-ˈrin-(ˌ)jēz  or larynxes

: the modified upper part of the respiratory passage of air-breathing vertebrates that is bounded above by the glottis, is continuous below with the trachea, has a complex cartilaginous or bony skeleton capable of limited motion through the action of associated muscles, and in humans, most other mammals, and a few lower forms has a set of elastic vocal cords that play a major role in sound production and speech

called also voice box