The articulation of consonants involves the vocal cords and articulators like the lips, tongue, and soft palate. Consonants are formed by interrupting, restricting, or diverting airflow and can be described by their manner, place, and force of articulation. The manners include plosives, fricatives, nasals, and more. Place of articulation refers to where in the vocal tract the obstruction of airflow occurs, such as bilabial, dental, or velar. Force of articulation is whether the sound is voiced (vocal cords vibrate) or unvoiced, with the latter requiring more expelled air.