Voice

Voice, sound emitted in speech, the method of communication exclusive to Homo sapiens. Dependent upon the passage of air from the lungs through the trachea, larynx, pharynx, and mouth, its quality is largely determined by the shape and size of these structures and the resonance of the nose and nasal sinuses. Phonation is the sounding of the elements of speech by the action of several small muscles on the vocal cords of the larynx. Articulation consists in the modulation of sounds by the use of the tongue, teeth, and lips in different combinations. Vowels are produced mainly by phonation, while consonants derive their characteristics principally from articulation.