Final answer:
Vocal folds, also known as true vocal cords, are responsible for sound production due to their ability to vibrate, while vestibular folds, also known as false vocal cords, serve a protective function during swallowing without contributing to voice production.
Step-by-step explanation:
The vocal folds, commonly known as the true vocal cords, and the vestibular folds (or false vocal cords) have both structural and functional differences that can be observed in the larynx. The vocal folds are white, membranous folds that are comprised of muscle tissue and are attached to the thyroid and arytenoid cartilages, and they can oscillate to produce sound. This ability to produce sound is due to their free inner edges, which vibrate as air passes through them. The size and thickness of these folds contribute to the pitch of the voice, with larger folds typically found in males, leading to deeper voices.
On the other hand, the vestibular folds are made of a mucous membrane and primarily play a protective role in the larynx. They support the epiglottis during swallowing to prevent food and beverages from entering the trachea. Unlike the vocal folds, the vestibular folds do not contribute to voice production. Their function is linked to the safety of the respiratory tract during the swallowing process.
The entirety of the larynx is lined with different epithelia adapted for protective functions, such as the stratified squamous epithelium and the pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium with goblet cells, which produce mucus to trap debris and pathogens and facilitate their removal.