A voice box is the common name for the part of your throat that produces sound when you speak or sing. Its scientific name is the larynx. Located at the top of your windpipe, the voice box contains two small bands of tissue called vocal cords that vibrate when air passes through them, creating sound waves that become your voice.

When you talk, muscles in your voice box tighten or loosen your vocal cords, changing the pitch of your voice. Tighter cords create higher sounds, while looser cords make lower sounds. The vocal cords move incredibly fast: they can vibrate hundreds of times per second. Your mouth, tongue, and lips then shape these sounds into words.

You can feel your voice box working by gently placing your fingers on the front of your throat while speaking. That vibration you feel is your vocal cords in action. The voice box also protects your lungs by closing when you swallow, preventing food and water from going down your windpipe.

When someone has laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx), their voice becomes hoarse or disappears entirely because their vocal cords are swollen and can't vibrate properly. Singers, teachers, and others who use their voices professionally learn techniques to keep their voice boxes healthy, like staying hydrated and avoiding strain.