Larynx anatomy. Artwork of the anatomy of the human larynx (voicebox) showing the production of vocal sounds (yellow arrows). The larynx is the lower part of the throat (lower centre) at the top of the trachea (windpipe). When the vocal cords in the larynx are tensed, air passing outwards from the lungs resonates and vibrates (white circles). These sounds pass upwards into the mouth, where the tongue, teeth and lips are used to shape specific vocal sounds and words (black waves (far right). Also shown here in cutaway section are the nasal passages. Food passing through the mouth passes down a different tube, the oesophagus, behind the trachea.