syrinx

Syrinx is a term with several distinct meanings in biology, mythology, and music. In birds, the syrinx is the vocal organ located at the base of the trachea where it splits into the primary bronchi, and is responsible for producing their sounds.

The syrinx is composed of membranes, muscles, and cartilage; it can be single- or multi-lobed. Many passerine birds have two specialized halves (left and right) that can function independently, enabling complex songs and calls. Air flows through the syrinx without passing through the larynx, which in birds is not used as a voice box. The exact structure varies among species; syrinx anatomy influences voice range and timbre.

Syrinx also refers to a water nymph in Greek mythology; she was pursued by the god Pan and transformed into a reed plant. Pan then crafted the pan flute from the reed tubes, a device commonly associated with the term syrinx.

The term also appears in music. Claude Debussy composed Syrinx, a solo flute piece completed in 1913, named after the myth and evocative of the instrument’s reed-pipe symbolism. The work is regarded as a milestone in early 20th-century flute repertoire and is frequently performed today.

Etymology-wise, syrinx derives from Greek syrinx meaning pipe or tube, via Latin and into English. The different uses are distinct but share the underlying association with pipes or wind instruments.