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Below is a greatly simplified sketch of the vocal tract. In the sketch, "supra-laryngeal" means "above the larynx"; "subglottal" means "below the vocal cords." Although the diaphragm is usually included in the parts of the vocal tract, its only function in speech is to help draw air into the lungs; it has only a passive function in the outgoing flow of air that is used for both speech and breathing. If you think of those structures from the viewpoint of a "vocal tract," then their primary function is for speech. But from knowledge of the parts of the vocal tract, you can see that the structures have other functions, particularly those that serve respiration and ingestion. The vocal tract serves too many functions to list on a message board, but among those functions are breathing for life; protecting the airway from particles that might either block it or injure it; taking in food and beginning the digestive process in the mouth; preventing solid food and liquids from entering the nasal cavity or the lungs.

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Related Questions

How come cats can't and don't know how to bark?

different vocal tract. How come dogs can't and don't know how to meow and purr? different vocal tract.


What system does the vocal cords belong to?

upper respiratory tract


What the name of the respiratory tract that contains the vocal cords?

The trachea


What section of the respiratory tract contains the vocal cords?

The 'larynx' (LARE-inks) or voicebox contains the vocal cords.


Would chimpanzees have a human-like language if they had a human vocal tract?

Answer: No. They would not.


How do you define consonant and vowel?

Vowel: "A vowel is a sound made when the impedance of the air through the vocal tract is minimal and the vocal tract is completely open." Consonant: "A consonant is a sound made by a partial or complete closure of the vocal tract." Source: http://www.sil.org/linguistics/GlossaryOfLinguisticTerms/


What are the functions of the organ of speech?

They function in the process of speech production. Each performing different specific functions


Does a The digestive tract of a coelomate functions as a coelom?

no


What and what are there in the counsanant sound?

Consonant sounds are speech sounds produced by obstructing the airflow in the vocal tract. They are characterized by the presence of a constriction or closure in the vocal tract, which differentiates them from vowel sounds. Examples of consonant sounds include /b/, /t/, /s/, and /m/.


Functions of larynx?

The larynx is the portion of the breathing, or respiratory, tract containing the vocal cords which produce vocal sound. It is located between the pharynx and the trachea. The larynx, also called the voice box, is a 2-inch-long, tube-shaped organ in the neck.


What are the types of phonemes give example?

The two main types of phonemes are vowels and consonants. Vowels are sounds produced without significant constriction in the vocal tract, like /a/ in "cat." Consonants involve some constriction in the vocal tract, like /p/ in "pat."


What are ejective sounds and how do they differ from other types of sounds in human speech?

Ejective sounds are a type of consonant sound produced by a burst of air trapped between the vocal cords. They differ from other sounds in human speech because they are created by a sudden release of air pressure in the vocal tract, rather than by the vibration of the vocal cords or the flow of air through a constriction in the vocal tract.