Commonly referred to as the voice box. An organ consisting of a complex structure of several cartilagenous and muscular components, which is located in the neck of many vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles, some amphibians). It manages the airflow into the lungs during breathing and prevents choking on aspired food, as it closes the airways to the lungs when food is swallowed (see epiglottis). It also contains the vocal cords, which enable the production of sounds by modulationg air flow. The term laryngeal refers to structures, functions, diseases, or properties relating to the larynx.