Vocal Cords, True

two folds, converging at an angle on the inner sides of lateral walls of the larynx of ecaudate amphibians, some reptiles, most mammals, and man.

Vocal cords consist of fibrous-elastic tissue and are covered by a mucous membrane. Voice formation is due to the vibration of closing vocal cords and the contraction of the glottis. Some mammals and man also have false vocal cords, which are situated slightly higher and do not take part in voice formation.

True vocal cords in humans are twin ligaments of muscular and connective tissue. They are symmetrically stretched on both sides of the larynx, between the vocal appendix of corniculate cartilage and the inner surface of the angle of the thyroid cartilage. True vocal cords are used in voice formation and partially prevent foreign bodies from getting into the lower respiratory tract. False, or ventricular, vocal cords are the folds of mucous tissue in the larynx that are located above the true vocal cords.