glottis

[ glot-is ]

noun

, Anatomy.

, plural glot·tis·es, glot·ti·des [glot, -i-deez].

1. the opening at the upper part of the larynx, between the vocal cords.

glottis

/ ɡlɒˈtɪdɪən; ˈɡlɒtɪs /

noun

1. the vocal apparatus of the larynx, consisting of the two true vocal cords and the opening between them

glottis

/ glŏt′ĭs /

, Plural glottises glŏt′ĭ-dēz′

1. The part of the larynx that contains the vocal cords and the space between them.

Derived Forms

• glottidean, adjective

Other Words From

• glot·tid·e·an [glo-, tid, -ee-, uh, n, glaw-], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of glottis¹

1570–80; < New Latin < Greek ( Attic ) glōttís, derivative of glôtta tongue (Ionic glôssa; gloss ² )

Word History and Origins

Origin of glottis¹

C16: from New Latin, from Greek glōttis, from glōtta, Attic form of Ionic glōssa tongue; see gloss ²

Example Sentences

It’s actually a glottal sound, meaning it emanates from the glottis, in the back of the throat — a muscle English speakers don’t get to exercise much.

From Seattle Times

“One end was in his esophagus, and the other in his windpipe, sticking out of his glottis,” Dr. Chen Zeyu, the hospital’s chief gastroenterologist, told AsiaWire.

From Fox News

He’s seen every affliction: bacteria, broken bones, even a rare case of balloon syndrome, in which a damaged glottis caused a hedgehog to inflate to the size of a beach ball.

From The Guardian

Her dentist father gave the anatomically correct translation: Close off your glottis.

From Washington Times

Lizards achieve this sound “by forcing air out of the lungs across the glottis,” Espinoza explains.

From National Geographic