Dictionary:
ep·i·glot·tis (ĕp'ĭ-glŏt'ĭs)  |
The thin elastic cartilaginous structure located at the root of the tongue that folds over the glottis to prevent food and liquid from entering the trachea during the act of swallowing.
[Greek epiglōttis : epi-, epi- + glōttis, glottis; see glottis.]
epiglottal ep'i·glot'tal (-glŏt'l) or ep'i·glot'tic (-glŏt'ĭk) adj.| 5min Related Video: epiglottis |
| World of the Body: epiglottis |
A leaf-shaped piece of cartilage covered by mucous membrane, sited vertically against the back of the root of the tongue and in front of the glottis — the opening into the larynx. The upper part of the epiglottis is free to bend back and down; also the arrangement of nearby folds of tissue and bands of muscle allows the rim of the glottis to be drawn against a thickening on the back surface of the epiglottis. These mechanisms provide for closure of the glottis during swallowing, preventing food and drink from entering the larynx and trachea (windpipe) and directing it further back into the opening of the oesophagus (gullet).
— Stuart Judge
See swallowing; alimentary system.
| Dental Dictionary: epiglottis |
An elastic cartilage, covered by mucous membrane, that forms the superior part of the larynx and guards the glottis during swallowing.
| Sports Science and Medicine: epiglottis |
Flexible cartilage guarding the entrance to the larynx. The epiglottis prevents food from entering the trachea.
| Veterinary Dictionary: epiglottis |
The lidlike cartilaginous structure guarding the entrance to the larynx.
The muscular action of swallowing closes the opening to the trachea by placing the larynx against the epiglottis. This prevents food and drink from entering the larynx and trachea, directing it instead into the esophagus.
| Wikipedia: Epiglottis |
The epiglottis is a flap of elastic cartilage tissue covered with a mucus membrane, attached to the root of the tongue. It projects obliquely upwards behind the tongue and the hyoid bone. The term is, like tonsils, often incorrectly used to refer to the uvula.[1]
Contents |
The epiglottis guards the entrance of the glottis, the opening between the vocal folds.[citation needed]
It is normally pointed upward during breathing with its underside functioning as part of the pharynx, but during swallowing, elevation of the hyoid bone draws the larynx upward; as a result, the epiglottis folds down to a more horizontal position, with its upper side functioning as part of the pharynx. In this manner it prevents food from going into the trachea and instead directs it to the esophagus, which is more posterior.[citation needed]
The epiglottis is one of nine cartilaginous structures that make up the larynx (voice box). While breathing, it lies completely within the pharynx. When swallowing it serves as part of the anterior of the larynx.[citation needed]
The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) sends fibers to the upper epiglottis that contribute to the afferent limb of the gag reflex. The superior laryngeal branch of the vagus nerve (CN X) sends fibers to the lower epiglottis that contribute to the afferent limb of the cough reflex.[2]
In children, the epiglottis will occasionally become infected with Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococci in the trachea, causing massive inflammation, called "Epiglottitis". This condition has become rare in countries where vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae (Hib) is administered.[citation needed]
 Larynx |
 Cut through the larynx of a horse |
 The cartilages of the larynx. Posterior view. |
 Ligaments of the larynx. Posterior view. |
 Coronal section of larynx and upper part of trachea. |
 The entrance to the larynx, viewed from behind. |
 Muscles of larynx. Posterior view. |
 Muscles of larynx. Side view. Right lamina of thyroid cartilage removed. |
 Sagittal section of nose mouth, pharynx, and larynx. |
 Larynx. 1=vocal cords, 2=vestibular fold, 3=epiglottis, 4=plica aryepiglottica, 5=arytenoid cartilage, 6=sinus piriformis, 7=dorsum of the tongue |
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| Translations: Epiglottis |
Dansk (Danish)
n. - strubelåg, epiglottis
Nederlands (Dutch)
strotklepje
Français (French)
n. - épiglotte
Deutsch (German)
n. - Kehldeckel
Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (ανατ.) επιγλωττίδα
Italiano (Italian)
epiglottide
Português (Portuguese)
n. - epiglote (f) (Anat.)
Русский (Russian)
надгортанник
Español (Spanish)
n. - epiglotis
Svenska (Swedish)
n. - epiglottis, struplock
中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
喉头盖, 会厌
中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 喉頭蓋, 會厭
العربيه (Arabic)
(الاسم) اللحمه المشرفه على الحلق, اللهاة
עברית (Hebrew)
n. - כיסוי הגרון, מכסה הקנה, אפיגלוטיס
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 | swallowing |
| alimentary system |
| hyoepiglottidean |
 | What if you can see your epiglottis? |
| What is your epiglottis? |
| Can the epiglottis? |
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 | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2007. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| World of the Body. The Oxford Companion to the Body. Copyright © 2001, 2003 by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Dental Dictionary. Mosby's Dental Dictionary. Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Sports Science and Medicine. The Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science & Medicine. Copyright © Michael Kent 1998, 2006, 2007. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Epiglottis". Read more |
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| Translations. Copyright © 2007, WizCom Technologies Ltd. All rights reserved. Read more |
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