What are the kinds of instruments in the lute family?

The lute family includes various stringed instruments characterized by a rounded back and a fretted neck. Notable members include the lute itself, which has a pear-shaped body and typically features a plucked sound, as well as the theorbo, which has an extended neck and additional bass strings. Other instruments in this family include the archlute, which combines features of both the lute and theorbo, and the vihuela, a Spanish instrument similar to the lute but with a flat back. Each instrument contributes to the rich history of stringed music across different cultures.