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Posted by on Dec 8, 2015 in TellMeWhy |

Where Does My Voice Come From?

Where Does My Voice Come From?

When you talk, you are using your voice box, vocal chords, vocal folds, and your diaphragm. Your voice box, vocal chords and vocal folds are in your throat. Your vocal chords vibrate and make sound; your vocal folds open and close, this makes the sound.

Your voice originates in a special place in your throat called the “larynx” (LAR inks). Inside the larynx are two bands of elastic tissue. These are your vocal chords.

When you are breathing and not speaking, your vocal chords are relaxed, and form a V-shaped opening that lets air through. But when you speak, small muscles in the vocal chords tighten the chords.

Then, as your lungs drive air through the larynx, the taut vocal chords vibrate. The vibrations produce the sound of your voice. Your tongue, lips, and teeth then help make those sounds into words.

Content for this question contributed by Laura Wagner, resident of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, USA