glottis

American  

[glot-is] / ˈglɒt ɪs /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

glottises, glottides

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

---

glottis British  

/ ɡlɒˈtɪdɪən, ˈɡlɒtɪs /

noun

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

---

glottis Scientific  

/ glŏt′ĭs /

plural

glottises

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

---

Other Word Forms

• glottidean adjective

Etymology

Origin of glottis

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

Compare meaning

How does glottis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• glottis vs. epiglottis

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 • Nov. 21, 2022

When swallowing, the epiglottis closes the glottis and food passes into the esophagus and not the trachea.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

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 • Aug. 5, 2018

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

From Washington Times • Jun. 12, 2016

This contraction may extend so as to cause serious narrowing of the chink of the glottis, producing difficulty of breathing, and an intense breath-hunger that usually causes excruciating agony.

From Makers of Modern Medicine by Walsh, James J. (James Joseph)