What is the medical term for the voice box?

The larynx is the medical term for the voice box. It sits in the front of the neck between the pharynx and the trachea, forming part of both the breathing and sound-producing systems. The larynx contains the vocal folds, whose vibration creates the basic sound used for speech and other vocalizations.

Its framework is made largely of cartilage, including the thyroid cartilage that forms the laryngeal prominence, commonly called the Adam’s apple. Muscles adjust the vocal folds’ tension and position, changing pitch and helping control airflow. The larynx also protects the lower airways: during swallowing, coordinated movements and reflexes help keep food and liquid out of the trachea.

The epiglottis is not another name for the larynx. It is a flap of elastic cartilage associated with the laryngeal inlet. The trachea is the windpipe below it, while the pharynx is the shared passage behind the nose and mouth. Ancient Greek physician Galen described the larynx as a principal instrument of the voice.