Structure and oscillary function of the vocal folds

Voice can be produced by the vibration of the vocal folds that together form a highly efficient oscillator. Sustained phonation and self-protection against vibratory stresses depend on the histological organization and molecular composition of the folds. T Their connective tissue, the lamina propria, has a multilayered structure in humans and other mammalian species. T The layered organization determines its biomechanical features. Laryngeal muscles can modify the biomechanical characteristics of the vocal folds, thus permitting the emission of a wide variety of sounds. Laminar organization of human and animal vocal folds is described and their biomechanical properties and relationship with the oscillatory function is explained.