The larynx is the voice box — it sits at the top of the airway and holds the vocal cords. The trachea is the windpipe directly below it, a tube carrying air down toward the lungs. Air passes through the larynx first, then the trachea.
The core difference
Two consecutive parts of the same airway, with different jobs.
- larynx — the voice box; houses the vocal cords; produces sound and protects the airway when swallowing.
- trachea — the windpipe; a reinforced tube conducting air to the bronchi and lungs.
What each does
The larynx is not just for voice — its other job is closing off the airway when you swallow, which is why speaking and swallowing at once causes trouble. The trachea is a conduit, held open by rings of cartilage so it cannot collapse.
The words
Both are Greek: larynx for the upper windpipe, tracheia meaning rough, from tracheia arteria, the rough artery — named for the ridged cartilage you can feel through the skin.
This page explains the words. It is not medical guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Which one holds the vocal cords?
The larynx. The trachea below it is a conducting tube with no role in sound production.
Is the trachea the same as the windpipe?
Yes. Trachea is the anatomical term for the windpipe.
Why is the trachea called "rough"?
From Greek tracheia arteria, rough artery, named for the ridged cartilage rings that keep it open.