What is the function of the larynx in the respiratory system?

The larynx serves several important functions in the respiratory system, primarily acting as a passageway for air and housing the vocal cords. It is located in the neck and connects the pharynx to the trachea, allowing air to travel to the lungs while also protecting the airway during swallowing. The larynx contains the vocal cords, which vibrate as air passes through them, enabling sound production and speech. This multifunctional role emphasizes its significance beyond merely being a conduit for air; it is crucial for communication and safeguarding the respiratory tract from foreign materials.

In contrast, other options highlight functions that do not accurately represent the primary roles of the larynx. For instance, filtering inhaled air is mainly accomplished by the nasal passages and mucosa rather than the larynx. Similarly, mucus production is primarily the role of the epithelial lining of various parts of the respiratory tract, such as the trachea and bronchi. Facilitating gas exchange occurs primarily in the alveoli of the lungs, not within the larynx itself. Thus, the primary function that encapsulates the larynx's role in both air passage and sound production makes it a critical structure within the respiratory system.