Which of the following muscles is responsible for changing vocal pitch?

The cricothyroid muscle is primarily responsible for changing vocal pitch. It accomplishes this by adjusting the tension of the vocal cords. When the cricothyroid muscle contracts, it tilts the thyroid cartilage forward relative to the cricoid cartilage, effectively elongating and tightening the vocal folds. This increased tension of the vocal cords leads to higher pitch sounds.

Understanding the role of the cricothyroid muscle is crucial for anyone studying speech-language pathology, as pitch modulation is essential in both speech and singing. The ability to manipulate pitch not only affects vocal performance but also plays a vital role in communication and emotional expression.