epiglottis

[ ep-i-glot-is ]
/ ˌɛp ɪˈglɒt ɪs /

noun, plural ep·i·glot·tis·es, ep·i·glot·ti·des [ep-i-glot-i-deez] /ˌɛp ɪˈglɒt ɪˌdiz/. Anatomy.

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

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Origin of epiglottis

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

OTHER WORDS FROM epiglottis

ep·i·glot·tal, ep·i·glot·tic, ep·i·glot·tid·e·an [ep-i-glo-tid-ee-uh n] /ˌɛp ɪ glɒˈtɪd i ən/, adjectivesub·ep·i·glot·tal, adjectivesub·ep·i·glot·tic, adjective

Words nearby epiglottis

epigenous, epigeous, epiglottic cartilage, epiglottic fold, epiglottidectomy, epiglottis, epiglottitis, epignathous, epigone, epigoni, epigonus
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Example sentences from the Web for epiglottis

British Dictionary definitions for epiglottis

epiglottis
/ (ˌɛpɪˈɡlɒtɪs) /

noun plural -tises or -tides (-tɪˌdiːz)

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

Derived forms of epiglottis

epiglottal or epiglottic, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for epiglottis

epiglottis
[ ĕp′ĭ-glŏt′ĭs ]

n. pl. ep•i•glot•tis•es

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.

Other words from epiglottis

ep′i•glot′tic adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for epiglottis

epiglottis
[ ĕp′ĭ-glŏt′ĭs ]

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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.