How and why can we talk?

The human being is the social animal par excellence. We have the more evolved vocal cords of the animal kingdom and that allows us to communicate with a level of records higher than that of other animals. Our vocal cords and, specifically, our larynx, have evolved so that we can generate a large number of sounds.

But how does the mechanism work? How and why can we talk? In this article by a PROFESSOR we are going to solve all these questions so that you better understand our nature.

The vocal cords are found located in the larynx, approximately at the top of the trachea. They are layers of mucous membranes that occupy the entire space of the larynx and that control how air leaves our lungs. In this way sounds are generated.

As the air leaves the lungs, these vocal cords they vibrate and collide with each other producing sounds. The exact placement of the vocal cord and its movement determines the specific sound that will be produced when passing air, which is refined by controlling the vagus nerve and the passage of air through the larynx, tongue, and lips.

On the other hand, each person has a "fundamental frequency" in which he speaks. This frequency depends on the length, size and extent of the vocal cords. Men usually have a fundamental frequency around 125Hz, women around 210Hz and children 300Hz.

From the reproductive point of view this information is essential. Indeed, there are scientific studies that corroborate that men with deeper voices they are more likely to reproduce, as men with deep voices are believed to have more testosterone. Thus, while we communicate, our vocal cords perform a purely seductive task.

Women make higher pitched sounds by having smaller vocal cords. In fact, the average size of male vocal cords is 17 to 25mm and, in the case of women, they can be 12.5 to 17.5mm. That is, the largest vocal chords of a woman can correspond to the smallest of a man.