epiglottis

noun

epi·​glot·​tis ˌe-pə-ˈglä-təs 

: a thin plate of flexible cartilage in front of the glottis that folds back over and protects the glottis during swallowing

Examples of epiglottis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An autopsy concluded an infection swelled Philibert’s epiglottis, a small flap of tissue at the back of the throat. —Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2024

The epiglottis, a valve in your larynx that controls airflow, closes. —Jenny Sweigard, Verywell Health, 1 July 2024

Such an infection of the epiglottis is rare in adults. —Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 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. —Kate Golembiewski, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek epiglōttis, from epi- + glōttis glottis

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

epiglottis

noun

epi·​glot·​tis ˌep-ə-ˈglät-əs 

: a thin plate of flexible cartilage in front of the glottis that folds back over and protects the glottis during swallowing

epiglottal

-ˈglät-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

epiglottis

noun

epi·​glot·​tis ˌep-ə-ˈglät-əs 

: a thin lamella of yellow elastic cartilage that ordinarily projects upward behind the tongue and just in front of the glottis and that with the arytenoid cartilages serves to cover the glottis during the act of swallowing