The key difference between male and female vocal cords is that male vocal cords tend to be longer and thicker, while female vocal cords tend to be shorter and slender.
Vocal cords, also referred to as vocal folds, are crucial components in the production of sounds through vocalization. They consist of folds of throat tissues and are situated within the larynx. These vocal cords differ between males and females, representing two distinct types of vocal cords based on gender variations.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Male Vocal Cords
3. What are Female Vocal Cords
4. Similarities – Male and Female Vocal Cords
5. Male vs. Female Vocal Cords in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Male and Female Vocal Cords
7. Summary – Male vs. Female Vocal Cords
What are Male Vocal Cords?
Male vocal cords are between 17 mm and 25 mm in length. Male vocal cords are thicker and longer, so they are able to produce low-pitched sounds, something like the roar of lions. The voice generated by male vocal cords is expected to be harsher. Furthermore, a man’s vocal cords can only handle mild variations that are naturally triggered by hormones. For example, in moments of anger, they may lead to a louder voice, while in times of sadness, they can cause a choking sensation. The performance of male vocal cords generally declines with age.
In nonverbal communication, males tend to use fewer hand gestures in speech and employ less soft vocabulary compared to females. In terms of intonation, male voices typically maintain a full pitch and have a limited rise and fall pattern in their intonation. Furthermore, in expressions, male voices, generated by vocal cords, can increase in volume for added emphasis.
What are Female Vocal Cords?
Female vocal cords are thinner and shorter. The vocal cords of females are between 12.5 mm and 17 mm in length. The voice generated by female vocal cords has a softer and gentler articulation. Female voices are also high-pitched. In nonverbal communication, females use more hand gestures during speech and use softer vocabulary than males. The performance of female vocal cords tends to remain steady with age.
Additionally, females frequently modulate their vocal cords using muscular control. In terms of intonation, voices produced by the vocal cords of females typically exhibit variations in pitch during speech. Furthermore, in expressions, females often raise the pitch of their voice for added emphasis.
What are the Similarities Between Male and Female Vocal Cords?
- Male vocal cords and female vocal cords are two different types of vocal cords based on gender differences.
- Hormones control male and female vocal cords, so this leads to voice alteration.
- Both vocal cords are located in the larynx.
- Both vocal cords are affected by diseases.
What is the Difference Between Male and Female Vocal Cords?
Male vocal cords tend to be longer and thicker, while female vocal cords tend to be shorter and slender. Thus, this is the key difference between male and female vocal cords. Furthermore, male vocal cords are between 17 mm and 25 mm in length, while female vocal cords are between 12.5 mm and 17 mm in length.
The infographic below presents the difference between male and female vocal cords in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
FAQ: Male and Female Vocal Cords
What is the difference between female and male voices?
Males generally have low-pitched voices, while females have high-pitched voices.
Why are male voices deeper than females?
Generally, men have longer and thicker vocal cords than women. This makes men’s voice deeper or heavier than women’s.
What makes a voice attractive?
According to the studies, women tend to prefer men with deep voices, while men tend to prefer women with high-pitched voices.
Summary – Male vs. Female Vocal Cords
Vocal cords are membranous tissue that project inwards from the sides of the larynx. Vocal cords form a slit across the glottis in the throat. The edges of the vocal cords vibrate when producing voice. Male vocal cords and female vocal cords are two different types of vocal cords based on gender differences. Male vocal cords tend to be longer and thicker, while female vocal cords tend to be shorter and slender. Moreover, male vocal cords are between 17mm and 25mm in length, while female vocal cords are between 12.5mm and 17mm in length. So, this summarizes the difference between male and female vocal cords.
Reference:
1. “Normal Voice Function.” Sean Parker Institute for the Voice.
2. Zerffi, William A. C. “Male and Female Voices.” A.M.A. Archives of Otolaryngology, JAMA Network.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Gray956” By Henry Vandyke Carter – Henry Gray (1918) Anatomy of the Human Body – Bartleby.com: Gray's Anatomy, Plate 956 (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia