# larynx

/ˈɫɛɹɪŋks/ (US) · /lˈæɹɪŋks/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/larynx
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

the part of your throat that contains your voice box. It is located just below your Adam's apple and helps you speak and breathe.

For teachers: the hollow, cartilaginous structure in the neck that contains the vocal folds and serves as a passageway for air to the trachea. It is also known as the voice box.

## Examples

- The doctor checked his larynx for signs of swelling.
- After the surgery, the patient was unable to speak because the larynx was temporarily paralyzed.
- The larynx plays a dual role in the human body, acting as a protective valve to prevent food from entering the lungs while also housing the delicate vocal cords necessary for phonation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.