The hollow muscular organ forming an air passage to the lungs and holding the vocal cords in humans and other mammals; the voice box.

• A. Bronchi
• B. Epiglottis
• C. Larynx
• D. Bronchioles

Answer: (C)

The larynx, or voice box, is the hollow muscular structure that forms the air passage to the lungs and houses the vocal cords. It sits in the neck between the pharynx and the trachea, acting as the gateway for airflow into the lower respiratory tract. The vocal cords inside the larynx vibrate as air passes through, producing sound and enabling speech. It also helps protect the airway during swallowing, with structures like the glottis and surrounding cartilage helping keep food out of the windpipe.

Bronchi are the large airways that carry air into the lungs but do not contain the vocal cords. The epiglottis is a flap that covers the laryngeal inlet during swallowing to prevent food from entering the airway, but it is not the main air passage itself. Bronchioles are tiny airways within the lungs and also do not involve voice production.