, to a soft,
sweet, flute-like sound, has, as yet, been imperfectly imitated by
art. It has been compared, by many physiologists, to a wind, reed, and
stringed instrument. This inimitable, yet simple instrument, is the
_Lar'ynx_.

587. Incidentally, the different parts of the respiratory organs, as
well as the larynx, are subservient to speaking and singing. The
tongue, nasal passages, muscles of the fauces and face, are agents
which aid in the intonation of the voice.

ANATOMY OF THE VOCAL ORGANS.

588. The LARYNX is a kind of cartilaginous tube, which, taken as a
whole, has the general form of a hollow, reversed cone, with its base
upward toward the tongue, in the shape of an expanded triangle. It
opens into the pharynx, at its superior extremity, and communicates,
by its inferior opening with the trachea. It is formed by the union of
five cartilages, namely, the _Thy'roid_, the _Cri'coid_, the two
_A-ryt-e'noid_, and the _Ep-i-glot'tis_. These are bound together by
ligaments, and moved by muscles.

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586. What is said of the structure of the vocal instrument? With what
instrument have physiologists compared it? What is the vocal
instrument called? 587. What organs are called into action in speaking
beside the larynx? 588-596. _Give the anatomy of the vocal organs._
588. Describe the larynx. Name the cartilages that form the larynx.

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589. The THYROID CARTILAGE is the largest of the five, and forms the
prominence in the front of the neck, called _Po'mum A-da'mi_, (Adam's
apple.) It is composed of two parts, and is connected with the bone of
the tongue above, and with the cricoid cartilage below.

590. The CRICOID CARTILAGE takes its name from its resemblance to a
ring. It is situated below the thyroid cartilage, it is narrow in
front, broader at the sides, and still broader behind, where it is
connected with the thyroid cartilage. Below, it connects with the
first ring of the trachea.

[Illustration: Fig. 102. A side view of the cartilages of the larynx. *
The front side of the thyroid cartilage. 1, The os hyoides, (bone at the
base of the tongue.) 2, The ligament that connects the hyoid bone and
thyroid cartilage. 3, 4, 5, The thyroid cartilage. 6, The cricoid
cartilage. 7, The trachea.]

[Illustration: Fig. 103. A posterior view of the cartilages and ligaments
of the larynx. 1, The posterior face of the epiglottis. 3, 3, The os
hyoides. 4, 4, The l