Which muscles primarily control sound production in the larynx?

The intrinsic muscles of the larynx are primarily responsible for controlling sound production. These muscles are situated entirely within the larynx and are crucial for regulating the tension and position of the vocal folds (vocal cords). When the intrinsic muscles contract, they adjust the length, tension, and position of the vocal folds, which is essential for voice modulation, pitch variation, and overall sound production.

Different intrinsic muscles have specific functions: some help to open or close the vocal folds, while others are involved in tensing or relaxing them. This fine-tuned control allows for the production of a wide range of vocal sounds and is vital for speech. The coordination of these muscles enables phonation, which is the initial step in speech production.

In contrast, the extrinsic muscles are primarily involved in supporting the larynx and moving it up and down during swallowing and speech, but they do not directly influence the sound-producing mechanisms. The suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles are categorized as extrinsic muscles, playing roles in actions related to the hyoid bone and the larynx's position rather than in the modulation of sound itself.