What is the overall function of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles?

The overall function of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles is to manage vocal fold tension. These muscles are crucial for phonation as they adjust the length and tension of the vocal folds to modulate pitch and volume during speech production. By contracting or relaxing, the intrinsic laryngeal muscles enable fine-tuned control over the vocal folds, allowing for changes in frequency and intensity of the sound produced. This regulation is essential for various vocalizations, from singing to speaking.

While the intrinsic laryngeal muscles do contribute to airway protection during swallowing by closing the vocal folds, their primary role is related to the production and modulation of voice. Functions like promoting lung expansion or facilitating articulation are more associated with other muscle groups and systems within the respiratory and articulatory mechanisms.