The glottis is an important part of the body which includes the larynx and the vocal chords and folds. Vocal folds vibrate within the throat, thanks to the gaps between the folds which allow this movement to occur. The vibration of the vocal folds is what causes the voice of a person or animal to sound distinctive. The glottis is therefore vital to speech development within young children as it allows them to practice with different sounds, and to begin to exercise control over the vibrations of the vocal folds. The glottis is one of the main components in allowing humans and animals to use verbal communication. The glottis is also a significant part of the respiratory, or breathing, system, as it allows air to pass into the lungs.
Generally, humans tend to have a large degree of control over the vibrations of their vocal folds. Variations in features such as the speed of vibration, and the size of the gaps between vocal folds, result in different dialects, accents and pitches. Control over the glottis and its vocal folds allow musicians to play instruments such as the trumpet, the trombone, the flute, and even the didgeridoo. Skilled players of the didgeridoo can close the glottis, restricting the airflow into the lungs, allowing them to access all timbres of the instrument.
The glottis and the larynx can be affected by diseases such as pneumonia and cancer. Laryngeal cancer, or cancer of the larynx, can be caused by a number of factors, such as heavy smoking, drinking of alcohol, and exposure to substances like nickel and formaldehyde. Cancer of the larynx tends to occur in middle-aged people, and is more common in men than in women. Laryngeal cancer can be treated in a number of ways, using chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or biological therapies. In certain circumstances, surgery can also be used to remove a cancerous tumor on the larynx.
Generally, humans tend to have a large degree of control over the vibrations of their vocal folds. Variations in features such as the speed of vibration, and the size of the gaps between vocal folds, result in different dialects, accents and pitches. Control over the glottis and its vocal folds allow musicians to play instruments such as the trumpet, the trombone, the flute, and even the didgeridoo. Skilled players of the didgeridoo can close the glottis, restricting the airflow into the lungs, allowing them to access all timbres of the instrument.
The glottis and the larynx can be affected by diseases such as pneumonia and cancer. Laryngeal cancer, or cancer of the larynx, can be caused by a number of factors, such as heavy smoking, drinking of alcohol, and exposure to substances like nickel and formaldehyde. Cancer of the larynx tends to occur in middle-aged people, and is more common in men than in women. Laryngeal cancer can be treated in a number of ways, using chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or biological therapies. In certain circumstances, surgery can also be used to remove a cancerous tumor on the larynx.
