Glottis: functions and characteristics of this part of the body

This is the glottis, one of the structures of the body that allows speech in humans.

The glottis is an orifice located in the upper-middle part of the larynx, of variable size and narrow, which is delimited by the vocal cords.It is of variable size and narrow, and is delimited by the vocal cords, four folds of smooth muscular tissue located on each side of the space.

Beyond its technical terminological definition, today we will discover that the glottis, despite its anecdotal nature, is an essential structure for the formation of sound: that is, human speech, among many other functions.

Although other living beings can emit complex and developed sounds with different intentions (such as elephants, birds or primates), we are the only species that has generated a complex language, on which we have based our society and interactions on a daily basis. What would we be without the laryngeal structures that give us the ability to speak?

Each small part of our organism has an essential function for what today describes us as a species and as autonomous individuals. Therefore, in this article we will see the functions and characteristics of the glottis.

What is the glottis?

According to the Royal Spanish Academy of Language (RAE), the glottis is defined as "orifice or anterior opening of the larynx". Of course, this cold conglomeration of words does not do justice to the functionality and essential work of this space. Before entering fully into the structure that concerns us today, it is necessary to talk about the already named larynx, it is necessary to talk about the already named larynx, the place where the larynx is located.. Let's get down to it.

The importance of the larynx

The larynx, defined as a tubular organ composed of nine pieces of cartilage, is a musculo-cartilaginous structure adapted to the needs of human phonation or voice emission. a musculo-cartilaginous structure adapted to the needs of human phonation or voice emission.. Due to its structural complexity (which would require a space by itself only to be described), we will divide the laryngeal structure in three parts in a simple way.

The subglottis or infraglottic level is the space below the vocal folds.. At this level, the larynx joins the trachea. The glottic level (the glottis proper) is the triangular space that remains when the vocal folds are open. The supraglottis or supraglottic level is the space above the vocal folds, i.e. the laryngeal vestibule.

Once we have briefly described the morphology of this complicated tubular organ, we will quickly list its multiple functions:

• Protective: through its occlusion, the individual can swallow food without risk of it entering the upper respiratory tract.
• Respiration: mechanically and biochemically, it participates in the regulation of CO2 and the maintenance of acid-base balance.
• Respiratory fixation: retains air in the thorax when closing, which allows for exertion and weight lifting among other things.
• Swallowing: the elevation of the larynx favors the descent of the food bolus.
• Expectoration: defensive line against the entrance of foreign substances into the body, as it allows their expulsion by coughing.
• Phonetic function: of course, the gift of speech is an essential function for the larynx.
• Emotional communication: thanks to it we can produce sounds of sobbing, crying and grief.

These are some of the essential functions of the larynx, but we have certainly not covered all of them. It is undoubtedly a multifaceted structure, as it protects us from the ingress of foreign substances or food. it protects us from foreign substances or food entering the upper respiratory tract, but it also allows us to communicate with each other and with the environment around us. and with the environment around us.

Morphology and function of the glottis

Having delimited the laryngeal function, let us return to the structure that concerns us here. The word "glottis" comes from the Latin "glossa", which means tongue. Only with the linguistic dissection of the term we can already guess where we are going to go.

From a physiological point of view, this space is defined as the middle part of the larynx, where the vocal cords are located.. It should be noted that the anterior two thirds of the glottis make up the "ligamentous or membranous glottis"; while the posterior third makes up the "cartilaginous glottis".

To understand the space that separates the vocal folds, it is also necessary to describe the vocal folds above. The vocal fold is formed by the presence of a structure, called the vocal ligament, which runs from the face of the vocal cords to the back of the vocal fold.This runs from the ventral side of the arytenoid cartilage to the dorsal side of the thyroid cartilage and, on it, the vocal muscle and the laryngeal mucosa fall like a tent, which finally constitutes the vocal membranous folds.

It should be noted that between the lower vocal folds there is a hollow opening: the glottis. This space is further divided into two according to its functionality:

• Phonatory glottis: space between the ligamentous borders of the vocal folds, located anteriorly.
• Respiratory glottis: portion that does not close during speech and allows the continuous passage of air.

As far as diction is concerned, without wishing to go into the production of sound because of the complexity of this process, we will limit ourselves to saying that the sounds in which only the glottis is involved are called glottal sounds.. Many languages in different continents present this glottal stop, that is, a dull consonant resulting from the interruption of the pulmonary flow of air in the glottis.

Thus, we can conclude that the glottis has several functions: first of all, it allows the passage of air to the lungs (which is soon said), but in turn, this air flow makes the vocal cords vibrate, which gives rise to sounds. The phonatory glottis space is essential for speech..

Finally, this portion of the laryngeal lumen also helps to prevent the passage of food into the upper airway, especially at the moment of swallowing. This last function is closely related to the structure above it, the epiglottis, which we will reserve for another opportunity.

Diseases associated with this part of the body

Cancer of the glottis, also called Cancer of the larynx, throat or vocal cords, is one of the most serious diseases associated with this part of the body.. According to the American Cancer Society, the appearance of these tumor processes in the tissue surrounding the glottis generate hoarseness, dysphonia or changes in the voice, which allows early detection in many cases.

Like most cancers associated with the neck and upper and lower respiratory tract, glottic cancer is positively correlated with the consumption of tobacco and, to a lesser extent, alcohol.

Although this is the most relevant conditioning factor, there are genetic disorders that can promote the formation of glottic tumors, such as Falconi's anemia or dyskeratosis congenita..

Finally, there are also gender and age biases: men are up to four times more likely to suffer from laryngeal cancer, and more than half of the patients are 65 years of age or older.

Another of the pathologies that affect the glottis is inflammation of its surrounding tissue due to an allergic reaction, which makes it impossible to passThis makes the passage of air impossible and ends up causing the patient's death by asphyxia. This is a medical emergency, and if the inflammation does not subside with the application of corticosteroids and other medications, a tracheotomy is necessary to allow the passage of air to the lungs.

Summary

As we have seen, in spite of its morphological simplicity (it is a hollow, nothing more, nothing less), the glottis is essential for speech as well as for breathing in human beings and life itself. Different functions are gathered in this space: from the passage of air to the lungs, through the protection of the upper airways from external agents and food, to the production of sounds and the miracle of speech in humans.

This type of space highlights the exquisiteness of the human body: every small hollow, every nook and cranny, every tissue and even every cellular body has a specific and essential function for our organism. Of course, there is no doubt that our body is a true work of evolutionary engineering.

Bibliographic references:

Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers, American Cancer Society. Retrieved September 17 from https://www.cancer.org/es/cancer/cancer-de-laringe-e-hipofaringe/causas-riesgos-prevencion/que-lo-causa.html. STAGES, T. C. C. A. L. E., & II, I. CANCER OF THE GLOTTIS. RESULTS OF THE. Glotis, Fundación Argentina del Tórax (FAT). Retrieved September 17 from https://www.fundaciontorax.org.ar/page/index.php/pacientes/diccionario/1419-glotis. Glottis, National Cancer Institute (NIH). Retrieved September 17 from https://www.cancer.gov/espanol/publicaciones/diccionario/def/glotis. Larynx, otorhinolaryngology portal. Retrieved September 17 from https://sisbib.unmsm.edu.pe/bibvirtual/libros/medicina/cirugia/tomo_v/laringe.htm#:~:text=Tienen%20forma%20de%20de%20pir%20C3%A1mide%20triangular,los%20m%C3%BAsculos%20motores%20del%20cart%20C3%ADlago. Torres, B., & Gimeno, F. (2008). Anatomy of the Voice. Paidotribo.