What effect does lengthening the vocal folds have on voice frequency?

Lengthening the vocal folds has a direct effect on voice frequency, specifically causing an increase in the fundamental frequency. When the vocal folds are elongated, they vibrate at a higher rate during phonation. This higher rate of vibration results in a higher pitch or frequency of the produced sound.

The anatomy of the vocal folds plays a crucial role in determining how they vibrate. Longer vocal folds tend to require more tension to vibrate efficiently, and this increased tension contributes to the higher frequency of sound. Essentially, when the space between the folds is increased due to lengthening, a tighter, more controlled vibration is created, leading to a higher pitched sound.

Hence, the relationship between the length of the vocal folds and the resultant frequency is fundamental to understanding voice production.