Research overview: laryngeal anatomy and the mechanics of feline meows and calls

Beyond purrs and roars, cats produce a rich variety of calls, and this overview reviews the laryngeal anatomy and mechanics behind them. The larynx, with its vocal folds, muscles, and cartilages, shapes meows, growls, hisses, yowls, and more, with different muscle tensions and airflow producing the diverse feline repertoire. In domestic cats, the meow is used especially toward humans. Researchers study vocal production through laryngeal anatomy, acoustics, and behavioural context. Why it matters: understanding how the larynx generates this range connects the physical voice box to feline communication, including signals directed at people that may have been shaped by domestication. It situates purring and roaring within the broader vocal toolkit of cats and clarifies how a single organ produces such varied and meaningful sounds.