What is the term for the structure that contains the vocal cords?

The term for the structure that contains the vocal cords is the larynx. The larynx is located in the throat and plays a crucial role in voice production, as it houses the vocal cords. When air passes through the larynx, it causes the vocal cords to vibrate, producing sound. In addition to its role in phonation, the larynx also serves as a pathway for air to enter the trachea and plays a protective role by preventing food and liquids from entering the airway during swallowing.

The pharynx, while related to the process of voice and respiration, is a separate structure that connects the mouth and nasal passages to the esophagus and larynx, but it does not contain the vocal cords. The trachea is the windpipe that carries air to and from the lungs, and the bronchi are the main passageways that branch off from the trachea into the lungs. Neither the trachea nor the bronchi are involved in vocal cord function. Therefore, the larynx is correctly identified as the structure that contains the vocal cords.