| Larynx (n.) The expanded upper end of the windpipe or trachea, connected with the hyoid bone or cartilage. It contains the vocal cords, which produce the voice by their vibrations, when they are stretched and a current of air passes between them. The larynx is connected with the pharynx by an opening, the glottis, which, in mammals, is protected by a lidlike epiglottis. Thesaurus Entries alveolar ridge, alveolus, apex, arytenoid cartilages, back, blade, dorsum, hard palate, lips, nasal cavity, oral cavity, palate, pharyngeal cavity, pharynx, soft palate, speech organ, syrinx, teeth, teeth ridge, tip, tongue, velum, vocal chink, vocal cords, vocal folds, vocal processes, voice box |