Where are the vocal cords located?

The vocal cords, also known as vocal folds, are located in the larynx, which is situated in the neck and serves as the voice box. The primary function of the larynx is to facilitate the production of sound during speech and protect the airway during swallowing. It houses the vocal cords, which are folds of tissue that vibrate as air passes through them from the lungs, creating sound.

The trachea is the windpipe that leads air to and from the lungs but does not contain the vocal cords. The pharynx is the part of the throat behind the mouth and nasal cavity, playing roles in both the respiratory and digestive systems, but it does not house the vocal cords either. The nasal cavity is part of the respiratory system that filters and humidifies the air we breathe and does not contain the vocal cords.

Therefore, the correct choice indicates the precise anatomical location of the vocal cords, emphasizing their role in sound production within the larynx.