a cartilaginous structure at the top of the trachea; contains elastic vocal cords that are the source of the vocal tone in speech
source: WordNet 3.0
The expanded upper end of the windpipe or trachea, connected with the hyoid bone or cartilage. It contains the vocal cords, which produce the voice by their vibrations, when they are stretched and a current of air passes between them. The larynx is connected with the pharynx by an opening, the glottis, which, in mammals, is protected by a lidlike epiglottis.
