The larynx, also known as the voice box, contains the vocal cords and is located at the top of the trachea. The vocal cords are longer and looser in males than females, resulting in deeper male voices. The trachea is a tube that extends from the larynx to the lungs, and contains rings of cartilage surrounded by muscle and fibrous tissue. Smoking paralyzes the cilia in the trachea that sweep particles out of the lungs, leading to a buildup of toxins and increased risk of lung damage and disease over time.

2. The Larynx

3. Larynx The larynx lies below the epiglottis at the top of the trachea. The “Adams apple” or “voice box” contains the vocal cords . In women, these are usually shorter, tauter, and closer together than those of men, thus women usually have higher pitched voices.

5. Larynx Vocal Cords - Changing the length & tension on the cords produces sounds of different pitches. - The longer and looser the cord, the deeper the pitch

6. - Because males have larger thyroid cartilages their cords are longer & voices are usually deeper - Changing the position of the vocal cords can close/open the airway. Larynx Vocal Cords

7. The Trachea Trachea

8. Trachea The trachea is a cylindrical tube, often called the “ wind pipe, ” about 11 cm (~4.5 inches) long and 2 to 2.5 cm in diameter (~1 inch). It lies from the larynx (6 th cervical vert.) to the point where it branches (5th thoracic vert.) to form the two primary bronchi . Primary bronchi

9. Trachea The trachea is composed of rings of hyaline cartilage separated by fibrous and muscular tissue. It is lined internally with mucus secreting cells and cilia that beat continually upward sweeping particles to the pharynx where they are swallowed.

10. Trachea Smoking paralyzes the cilia so that they no longer beat. This causes particles to accumulate in the lungs, which can only be brought up by coughing – hence the “smoker’s cough.”

11. This inability to cleanse the lungs properly produces lungs stained with tar and the nicotine in the tobacco damages blood vessels, possibly producing a diseased heart as well.

12. Continued tobacco use could result in permanent lung damage in the form of a chronic, debilitating condition called emphysema . Normal Color Emphysema

13. Or, continued tobacco use could result in a terminal disease – lung cancer , not to mention congestive heart failure due to an enlarged heart or myocardial infarction due to coronary artery damage . Lung Cancer Normal Lung Color