Male vs female vocal cords

Males and females have different vocal fold sizes. Adult male voices are usually lower-pitched due to longer and thicker folds. The male's vocal folds are between 1.75 cm and 2.5 cm (approx 0.75" to 1.0") in length, while females' vocal folds are between 1.25 cm and 1.75 cm (approx 0.5" to 0.75") in length.

1. What is the difference between male and female vocal cords?
2. Which gender has longer vocal cords?
3. Do men have thicker vocal cords?
4. Why is female voice sharper than male?

What is the difference between male and female vocal cords?

It is an interesting fact that the only difference between the male and female larynx is one of size, and, further, that within each voice category marked differences in size are to be observed. The cords of a soprano are shorter than those of a contralto, and the cords of a tenor are shorter than those of a bass.

Which gender has longer vocal cords?

The male vocal folds are between 17 mm and 25 mm in length. The female vocal folds are between 12.5 mm and 17.5 mm long.

Do men have thicker vocal cords?

In addition to being longer, the male vocal folds are also thicker, primarily because the muscle within the vocal folds (i.e., thyroarytenoid muscle) is thickened by testosterone during puberty (Figure 3).

Why is female voice sharper than male?

Women have shorter vocal cords which vibrate more quickly and produce a higher pitch, while in men the longer vocal cords vibrate with low frequencies giving them deeper voice. Thus, women have high-pitched or shriller voice as compared to men.