epiglottis

American  

[ep-i-glot-is] / ˌɛp ɪˈglɒt ɪs /

noun

Anatomy.

plural

epiglottises, epiglottides

1. 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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epiglottis British  

/ ˌɛpɪˈɡlɒtɪs /

noun

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

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epiglottis Scientific  

/ 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.

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Other Word Forms

• epiglottal adjective
• epiglottic adjective
• epiglottidean adjective
• subepiglottal adjective
• subepiglottic adjective

Etymology

Origin of epiglottis

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

Compare meaning

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

• glottis vs. epiglottis

Example Sentences

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 • Feb. 21, 2024

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 • Feb. 21, 2024

But after he finished a well-beaten sixth it was determined he had an epiglottis issue and he hasn’t raced since.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 29, 2022

The suction and swallow simultaneously stimulate two nerves, the phrenic and vagus nerves, prompting the diaphragm to contract and the epiglottis — a flap that covers the windpipe during swallowing — to close.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 24, 2021

Then he slid the scope over Monet’s tongue and pushed the tongue out of the way so that he could see down the airway past the epiglottis, a dark hole leading inward to the lungs.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston