epiglottis

[ ep-i-glot-is ]

noun

, Anatomy.

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

1. a thin, valvelike, cartilaginous structure that covers the glottis during swallowing, preventing the entrance of food and drink into the larynx.

epiglottis

/ ˌɛpɪˈɡlɒtɪs /

noun

1. a thin cartilaginous flap that covers the entrance to the larynx during swallowing, preventing food from entering the trachea

epiglottis

/ ĕp′ĭ-glŏt′ĭs /

1. A thin, triangular plate of cartilage at the base of the tongue that covers the glottis during swallowing to keep food from entering the trachea.

Derived Forms

• ˌepiˈglottal, adjective

Other Words From

• epi·glottal epi·glottic ep·i·glot·tid·e·an [ep-i-glo-, tid, -ee-, uh, n], adjective
• subep·i·glottal adjective
• subep·i·glottic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of epiglottis¹

1605–15; < Greek epiglōttís; epi-, glottis

Example Sentences

As a result, the authors wrote, humans are left with a "flat face, smaller chin, shorter oral cavity, changes in jaw function, repositioning of ears behind jaws, ascent of the uvula and descent of the epiglottis, right angle bend in tongue, creation of compliant, combined, flexible airway-footway, and speech."

From Salon

A bit below the epiglottis, mammals have evolved additional folds of tissue, called vocal cords or vocal folds, which produce sounds when air exhaled from the lungs causes them to vibrate.

From New York Times

The larynx functions like an antechamber to the windpipe, or trachea, with a flap of tissue called the epiglottis keeping food and drink from falling down the windpipe.

From New York Times

As a result, the authors wrote, humans are left with a "flat face, smaller chin, shorter oral cavity, changes in jaw function, repositioning of ears behind jaws, ascent of the uvula and descent of the epiglottis, right angle bend in tongue, creation of compliant, combined, flexible airway-footway, and speech."

From Salon

By 9:30 that night, he was dead, a victim of epiglottitis, a treatable, rare virus that causes the epiglottis — cartilage that protects the larynx and aids swallowing — to swell and shut down, covering the air passages to the lungs.

From Washington Post