Sound Produced by Humans
Sound is an integral part of human communication and is produced by the vibration of the vocal cords located in the voice box or larynx. The larynx is positioned at the upper end of the windpipe, and when air from the lungs is forced through the narrowed passage between the vocal cords, it causes them to vibrate. This vibration generates sound waves, the characteristics of which can vary based on the tightness and thickness of the vocal cords. In general, higher tautness and thinner vocal cords yield a higher pitch, while looser, thicker cords produce lower sounds.
Activities like feeling the vibrations in the throat while speaking or using rubber strips to demonstrate the mechanism of sound production reinforce this concept. The section also highlights anatomical differences among children, women, and men, elucidating why their voices differ—primarily due to the varying lengths of their vocal cords: approximately 20 mm for men, 15 mm for women, and shorter for children. Understanding these mechanisms not only enhances knowledge about human anatomy and sound production but also underscores the diversity of human speech.