100+ Free Andalusia PAU Choir and Vocal Technique II Exam Practice Questions

Explanation: The thyroid cartilage is the largest cartilage of the larynx, consisting of two hyaline laminae that fuse anteriorly to form the laryngeal prominence ('Adam's apple'). It serves as the anterior attachment point for the vocal folds via the vocal ligament. The cricoid forms a complete ring below it, arytenoids attach posteriorly, and the epiglottis guards the laryngeal inlet.

Explanation: The diaphragm is the principal muscle of inspiration. Upon contraction during inhalation, its central tendon moves downward, expanding the vertical dimension of the thoracic cavity and lowering intrathoracic pressure to draw air into the lungs. The intercostals and abdominal muscles assist in breathing mechanics, while the sternocleidomastoid acts as an accessory neck muscle during forced breathing.

Explanation: During swallowing, the larynx elevates and the leaf-shaped epiglottis folds downward over the laryngeal entrance (glottis). This mechanical action directs food and liquids safely into the esophagus while protecting the airway from aspiration. It does not control pitch, phonation pressure, or vocal acoustics directly.

Explanation: The cricoid cartilage forms a complete ring shaped like a signet ring, located at the base of the larynx directly above the trachea. It serves as the foundation for the larynx, articulating with the thyroid cartilage inferiorly and the arytenoid cartilages superiorly. Thyroid cartilage is open posteriorly, hyoid is a U-shaped bone, and tracheal rings are C-shaped cartilages open posteriorly.

Explanation: The paired arytenoid cartilages sit on the posterior superior border of the cricoid cartilage. Each arytenoid has a vocal process (attaching to the vocal ligament) and a muscular process (attaching to intrinsic laryngeal muscles). Their rotational and sliding movements control whether the vocal folds are brought together (adducted) for phonation or opened (abducted) for breathing.

Explanation: The glottis (rima glottidis) is the space between the vocal folds. During quiet respiration, the glottis opens wide (abduction), while during phonation, the vocal folds adduct to narrow or close the glottis, allowing subglottic air pressure to build and initiate mucosal vibration.

Explanation: The Bernoulli principle states that as air flows rapidly through a narrow passage (such as the glottis during phonation), kinetic energy increases while static pressure perpendicular to the flow decreases. This localized negative pressure zone pulls the subglottic edges of the vocal folds back together at the end of each vibratory cycle.

Explanation: The myoelastic-aerodynamic theory of phonation (formulated by van den Berg) posits that voice production results from a combination of neuromuscular control (myoelastic factors setting vocal fold adduction and tension) and aerodynamic forces (subglottic air pressure blowing folds apart, and the Bernoulli effect bringing them back together).

Explanation: The cricothyroid muscle (innervated by the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve) tilts the thyroid cartilage downward and forward. This action increases the distance between the thyroid angle and the arytenoids, stretching, lengthening, and thinning the vocal folds, which raises fundamental frequency (pitch).

Explanation: The thyroarytenoid muscle forms the main muscle mass of the true vocal folds. When it contracts, it pulls the arytenoid cartilages toward the thyroid cartilage, shortening and thickening the vocal fold body. This increases the vibratory mass and glottal resistance, lowering pitch and producing chest register resonance.