Their function is not well understood, but they may lubricate the vocal cords, and increase the resonance of vocalisation.

[1] The laryngeal saccules have pseudostratified columnar epithelium, and contain many mucous glands.

[1] They may help to lubricate the vocal cords, with the contraction of surrounding muscles increasing mucus secretion.

[2] Chronic airway obstruction (caused by stenotic nares, elongated soft palate, or other conditions) can evert the laryngeal saccules.

[4] In brachycephalic breeds of dog, the saccules can become everted and protrude into the laryngeal opening, causing symptoms such as snoring, noisy breathing, coughing, nasal congestion, and shortness of breath in affected dogs.