Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

The space between the vocal cords is called the glottis. This area consists of the space between the two vocal folds, or cords, and is crucial in voice production as it plays a role in the modulation of airflow during phonation. When air passes through the glottis, it causes the vocal folds to vibrate, producing sound. Understanding the anatomy of the larynx is essential for recognizing the role of the glottis in both breathing and vocalization. The vocal folds themselves are the structures that can open and close within the glottis, influencing pitch and volume depending on their tension and the volume of air passed through. The epiglottis, while also part of the larynx, serves a different function by acting as a flap that covers the trachea during swallowing, preventing food and liquid from entering the airway. The cricoid cartilage provides support to the larynx and is located below the thyroid cartilage, but it does not define the space between the vocal cords. Therefore, the glottis specifically refers to that central area of the larynx associated with sound production and airway management.