Physiologically, What Happens When A Vocalist Grunts?

I see the term "grunting" used fairly often in a vocal context, but it's rarely explained on a physiological level. Many techniques require grunting and some even have the word in the name of the technique, but I'm not sure I know exactly what it means.

Is it true that when a vocalist grunts, the vocal cords lock and you are forcing a lot of air between cords that are very tight? That's what Jaime Vendera says. He says grunting locks the vocal cords to provide equilibrium when we lift something heavy. He says that to use it for singing with grit, the forcing of air between cords that are so tight will make the vocal cords red, irritated and swollen.

For reference, Jaime starts talking about it starting it at just after 2:35 in this video, although in the rest of the video he gives some insight into his approach to grit, so that may be of interest as well. It's a short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCw8ZM9UbfM

I haven't heard anyone else actually say what is going on in the throat when vocalists grunt, but since different coaches use terms in different ways, I'd like to know what is happening physiologically in the throat when a vocalist grunts, according to the meaning you ascribe to the term "grunt."

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