What is one function of the upper respiratory tract?

The upper respiratory tract plays a significant role in producing sound, primarily through the structures involved in phonation. This includes the larynx (voice box), which houses the vocal cords (vocal folds). When air from the lungs is expelled through the larynx, it passes between the vocal cords, causing them to vibrate, which produces sound. The pitch and volume of this sound can be modified by adjusting the tension of the vocal cords and by utilizing the resonating chambers of the throat, mouth, and nasal cavity.

In the context of other functions, gas exchange mainly occurs in the lower respiratory tract, particularly in the alveoli of the lungs. While the upper respiratory tract can assist in regulating the temperature and humidity of inhaled air, its primary function is not directly related to temperature regulation. Storing air is also not a primary role of the upper respiratory tract; rather, the lungs serve as the main site for air volume management. Thus, producing sound is a distinctive and critical function of the upper respiratory tract.