Singing involves the control and manipulation of numerous muscles. These muscles are accustomed to doing their own thing. We are about to embark on a wonderful journey as we become acquainted with the muscles of the larynx, and the respiratory system.
Let the journey begin…

Cartilages that make up the larynx, viewed from the back.
Epiglottis
Thyroid Cartilage
Arytenoid Cartilages
Cricoid Cartilage
Tracheal Rings

Cartilages that make up the larynx, viewed from the back.
Epiglottis
The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped cartilage that moves up and down to cover the opening of the trachea when food or liquid is swallowed. It keeps you from choking by directing particles down the esophagus instead of the trachea. It moves out of the way while breathing, speaking or singing so that air can move freely up and down the trachea.

Cartilages that make up the larynx, viewed from the back.
Thyroid Cartilage
The thyroid cartilage is also known as the Adam’s apple. It is a large V-shaped cartilage that houses and protects the vocal cords and the opening to the trachea. The vocal cords attach to the thyroid cartilage at the front of the neck, just under the epiglottis.

Cartilages that make up the larynx, viewed from the back.
Arytenoid Cartilages
Arytenoid cartilages are pyramidshaped. The thyroarytenoid muscles/vocal cords are attached to each cartilage at the back of the throat. They glide along the cricoid.
These cartilages move together and apart thousands of times per second, pulling the vocal cords together over the trachea so air can cause vibrations used in speech and singing.

Cartilages that make up the larynx, viewed from the back.
Cricoid Cartilage
The cricoid cartilage is shaped like a signet ring, with the signet at the back of the throat and the shaft of the ring at the front of the throat. It forms the top of the trachea.

Check your knowledge of the larynx cartilages. Starting at the top, try to name the cartilages. Left click with the mouse to see if you are correct.
Epiglottis
Thyroid Cartilage
Arytenoid Cartilages
Cricoid Cartilage
Tracheal Rings

There are five groups of muscles in the larynx, including the vocal cords. They are all named for the cartilages to which they are attached. Many vocal exercises are designed to teach the singer how to manipulate and control the muscles used in singing.
Thyroarytenoid Muscles
Thyroid
Cartilage
Vocal Cords
Cricoid
Cartilage
Arytenoid Cartilages

Notice the vocal cords, or vocal folds, are actually the inside edges of the thyroarytenoid muscles. When they are pulled together over the air passage, air causes vibrations that we recognize as speech or singing.
Thyroarytenoid Muscles
Vocal Cords
Note: Muscles other than the thyroarytenoids move the arytenoid cartilages and other cartilages involved in the vocal process. We are only concerned with the thyroarytenoid muscles at this time.

Check your knowledge of the larynx muscles and cartilages.
Starting at the top, try to name the cartilages and muscles.
Left click with the mouse to see if you are correct.
Thyroarytenoid Muscles
Thyroid
Cartilage
Vocal Cords
Cricoid
Cartilage
Arytenoid Cartilages

Soft Palate
Larynx
Nasal Cavity
Bronchus
Bronchiole
Lung
Diaphragm
The windpipe, or trachea, is made up of a series of cartilaginous rings resembling a vacuum hose. The trachea subdivides into two bronchi, one bronchus for each lung. The bronchi further divide into numerous bronchioles, through which oxygen passes into the lungs. The lungs are spongy membranous tissue. They are not muscle. Inhalation occurs when the diaphragm contracts and flattens, pulling the lungs downward so that air rushes into the vacuum.

Soft Palate
Larynx
Nasal Cavity
Check your knowledge of the respiratory system.
Starting at the top, try to name the cartilages and muscles.
Left click with the mouse to see if you are correct.
Bronchus
Bronchiole
Lung
Diaphragm

The ribs are connected by the intercostal muscles. The external intercostal muscles cover the outside of the ribcage. The internal intercostal muscles cover the inside of the ribcage. They aid in the expansion of the ribs during inhalation and help to expel the air by pulling the ribs together.
Clavicle
Sternum
External Intercostal
Muscles
Internal Intercostal
Muscles
Ribs

Check your knowledge of the bones and muscles of respiration.
Starting at the top, try to name the bones and muscles.
Left click with the mouse to see if you are correct.
Clavicle
Sternum
External Intercostal
Muscles
Internal Intercostal
Muscles
Ribs

All illustrations were taken from our text:
Schmidt J., Basics of Singing, fifth edition, published by
Schirmer, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc., 2003.
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