vocal folds

n. A pair of membranes vaguely resembling lips which stretch across the larynx whose opening is called the glottis. The vibration of the vocal folds by air passing from the lungs is the mechanism by which people speak and make other sounds. The amount of tension on the folds regulates the tone of the sound produced. The sounds from the vocal folds are amplified by resonation in the cavities of the chest, throat, mouth, nose, and sinus. Also called vocal cords.