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larynx

C1/C2
UK/ˈlær.ɪŋks/US/ˈler.ɪŋks/

Formal/Technical/Medical

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Definition

Meaning

The hollow muscular organ in the throat that contains the vocal cords and is essential for speech and breathing.

In broader medical and anatomical contexts, the organ responsible for phonation and airway protection, situated at the top of the trachea.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

A precise anatomical term. In everyday speech, people more commonly refer to the 'voice box' or 'throat.'

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.

Connotations

Purely technical/medical in both varieties.

Frequency

Equally low-frequency in general discourse but standard in medical contexts in both regions.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
irritated larynxcancer of the larynxlarynx functionprotect the larynx
medium
examine the larynxdamage to the larynxinflammation of the larynxlarynx surgery
weak
healthy larynxhuman larynxmale larynxpatient's larynx

Grammar

Valency Patterns

the larynx of [NP]a [Adj] larynx[Verb] the larynx

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

glottisvocal apparatus

Neutral

voice box

Weak

throatvocal cords

Vocabulary

Antonyms

none (specific anatomical structure)

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “frog in one's throat (related informal phrase for hoarseness)”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Rarely used, except potentially in health insurance or pharmaceutical contexts.

Academic

Common in medical, biological, and linguistic (phonetics) literature.

Everyday

Uncommon; 'throat' or 'voice box' are preferred.

Technical

The standard, precise term in anatomy, otolaryngology, and speech pathology.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

  • The surgeon will laryngectomise the patient (rare, technical).

American English

  • The procedure laryngectomizes the patient (rare, technical).

adverb

British English

  • The endoscope was passed laryngoscopically (highly technical).

American English

  • The device is inserted laryngoscopically (highly technical).

adjective

British English

  • The laryngeal nerves were carefully preserved during the operation.

American English

  • She underwent laryngeal surgery to remove the nodules.

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • A cough can irritate your larynx.
B1
  • The doctor said my sore throat was due to an inflamed larynx.
B2
  • Smoking significantly increases the risk of developing cancer of the larynx.
C1
  • The phonation process is initiated when air from the lungs passes through the closed vocal folds within the larynx.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think 'LARYNX lets you LARY it out' – it's where you project your voice.

Conceptual Metaphor

THE VOICE BOX (container for sound), THE GATEKEEPER OF THE AIRWAY (protector).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Do not confuse with 'larinks' – a non-existent anglicisation. The Russian term 'гортань' (gortan') is the direct equivalent.

Common Mistakes

  • Mispronunciation: /ləˈrɪŋks/ or /ˈlɛrɪŋks/ (stressing the wrong syllable).
  • Misspelling: 'larnyx', 'larynyx'.
  • Using 'larynx' colloquially instead of 'throat'.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The singer was advised to rest her voice to avoid straining her .
Multiple Choice

What is the primary function of the larynx?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The larynx (voice box) is a specific organ within the throat. The throat (pharynx) is a broader passageway for food and air.

In British English: /ˈlær.ɪŋks/ (LA-rinks). In American English: /ˈler.ɪŋks/ (LEH-rinks). The stress is on the first syllable.

'Laryngeal' (pronounced /ləˈrɪn.dʒi.əl/ or /ˌlær.ɪnˈdʒiː.əl/).

Use 'larynx' in formal, medical, or academic writing. 'Voice box' is acceptable in everyday conversation and layman's explanations.

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