North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

What is the function of the larynx?

1. Serves as an airway passage

2. Produces hormones

3. Regulates blood flow

4. Stores food and liquids

The correct answer is: Serves as an airway passage

The primary function of the larynx, also known as the voice box, is to serve as an airway passage. It plays a crucial role in protecting the trachea against food aspiration, allowing air to pass from the pharynx to the trachea while also preventing foreign objects from entering the airway. Additionally, it is involved in phonation, as it houses the vocal cords, enabling sound production when air is pushed through it. This structure is fundamental for breathing, speaking, and preventing choking. In terms of the other options, the larynx does not produce hormones, as that function is primarily associated with glands like the thyroid or adrenal glands. It does not regulate blood flow; those functions are usually managed by the circulatory system and specific vascular structures. Storing food and liquids is a function of the esophagus and stomach, not the larynx. Thus, the choice identifying the larynx's role as an airway passage accurately reflects its essential physiological functions.