Final answer:
The larynx is innervated by the vagus nerve and its branch, the recurrent laryngeal nerve, both of which play critical roles in voice production, swallowing, and coughing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two main nerves located in the larynx are the vagus nerve and the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The vagus nerve is part of the parasympathetic nervous system and is responsible for several functions including voice, swallowing, and coughing. The recurrent laryngeal nerve, which is a branch of the vagus nerve, specifically innervates the intrinsic muscles of the larynx that control the vocal cords and plays a critical role in phonation.
The autonomic nervous system, through the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions, regulates the dilation and constriction of the airway. Reflex actions such as coughing and the regulation of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the lungs are all influenced by nervous system control. Sensory fibers that contribute to these reflexes and sensations arise from the vagus nerve as well as the second to fifth thoracic ganglia, forming the pulmonary plexus at the root of the lung.