The vocal tract is the cavity in human bodies and in animals where the sound produced at the sound source (
larynx
The larynx (), commonly called the voice box, is an organ (anatomy), organ in the top of the neck involved in breathing, producing sound and protecting the trachea against food aspiration. The opening of larynx into pharynx known as the laryngeal ...
in mammals;
syrinx in birds) is filtered.
In
birds, it consists of the
trachea
The trachea (: tracheae or tracheas), also known as the windpipe, is a cartilaginous tube that connects the larynx to the bronchi of the lungs, allowing the passage of air, and so is present in almost all animals' lungs. The trachea extends from ...
, the
syrinx, the oral cavity, the upper part of the
esophagus, and the
beak. In
mammals, it consists of the
laryngeal cavity
The larynx (), commonly called the voice box, is an organ (anatomy), organ in the top of the neck involved in breathing, producing sound and protecting the trachea against food aspiration. The opening of larynx into pharynx known as the laryngeal ...
, the
pharynx
The pharynx (: pharynges) is the part of the throat behind the human mouth, mouth and nasal cavity, and above the esophagus and trachea (the tubes going down to the stomach and the lungs respectively). It is found in vertebrates and invertebrates ...
, the oral cavity, and the
nasal cavity.
The estimated average length of the vocal tract in men is 16.9 cm and 14.1 cm in women.
See also
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Language
Language is a structured system of communication that consists of grammar and vocabulary. It is the primary means by which humans convey meaning, both in spoken and signed language, signed forms, and may also be conveyed through writing syste ...
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Talking birds – species of birds capable of imitating human sounds, but without known comprehension
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Speech organ
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Speech synthesis
*
Manner of articulation
References
{{Anatomy-stub
Human head and neck
Human voice
Respiratory system anatomy