The upper folds of the vocal cords are known as what type of vocal cords?

The upper folds of the vocal cords are known as false vocal cords or vestibular folds, distinguishing them from the true vocal cords that are responsible for sound production. The false vocal cords do not play a direct role in phonation; rather, they serve primarily as a protective mechanism for the airway and help to close off the larynx during swallowing to prevent food from entering the trachea.

The designation of "false" is appropriate because these folds, while present in the larynx, do not vibrate to produce sound as the true vocal cords do. Instead, they act as a supporting structure and contribute to the resonance of the voice indirectly. Understanding this distinction is important for recognizing how different parts of the vocal apparatus function during the complex process of phonation and airway protection.