laryngé

Laryngé is an adjective used primarily in French to denote relation to the larynx, the cartilaginous structure in the neck that houses the vocal cords and sits above the trachea. In English medical terminology, the corresponding term is laryngeal, and laryngé appears mainly in bilingual or historical French texts.

Etymology and usage notes: The root larynx comes from Latin, ultimately tracing to Greek origins. In French, laryngé forms compounds to describe features, structures, or functions related to the larynx, such as muscles laryngés or nerve laryngé. The feminine form laryngée is also used when describing feminine nouns or in certain fixed expressions.

Anatomy and function: The larynx is a short, air-filled organ located in the anterior neck. It consists of a cartilaginous framework (including the thyroid, cricoid, and arytenoid cartilages), intrinsic muscles, and mucous membranes. The vocal cords are housed within the glottis and are essential for phonation. Beyond sound production, the larynx protects the lower airway during swallowing by elevating and closing the laryngeal inlet.

Medical context: In contemporary English, clinicians refer to laryngeal concepts, such as laryngeal anatomy, laryngeal cancer, or laryngoscope, using the standard term laryngeal. In French, laryngé appears in medical phrases and eponymous terms such as nerf laryngé récurrent or muscles laryngés. Historical or bilingual texts may alternate between laryngé and laryngeal.

See also: larynx, laryngeal.