What makes up the vocal cords?

The vocal cords are made up of two folds of tissue that are located in the larynx, or voice box. The folds are made of muscle, elastic fibers, and mucous membrane. They are held together by ligaments and are moistened by mucus. When air passes through the larynx, the vocal cords vibrate and produce sound. The pitch of the sound is determined by the tension of the vocal cords, and the timbre of the sound is determined by the shape of the vocal tract.