noun
definition
A cartilaginous organ in the throat of terrestrial vertebrates covering the glottis when swallowing to prevent food and liquid from entering the trachea, and in Homo sapiens also a speech organ.
Examples of epiglottis in a Sentence
Epiglottitis is an infection and inflammation of the epiglottis.
An inflamed epiglottis can swell and close off the windpipe, thus causing the patient to suffocate.
The epiglottis is a piece of cartilage behind the tongue that closes the opening to the windpipe when a person swallows.
Again, from different points of the cortex the assunIption of the requisite positions of the tongue, lips, cheeks, palate and epiglottis, as components in the act of sucking, can be provoked singly.
This embraces the base of the epiglottis, and, except while swallowing food, shuts off all communication between the cavity of the mouth and the pharynx, respiration being, under ordinary circumstances, exclusively through the nostrils.
The larynx is raised, closing the glottis, which is then covered by the epiglottis, preventing food entering the trachea.
During childhood, stridor is usually caused by infection of the cartilage flap (epiglottis) that covers the opening of the trachea to prevent material from entering the lungs and choking a person during swallowing.
Epiglottitis is an infection of the epiglottis, which can lead to severe airway obstruction.
The epiglottis is a leaf-like piece of cartilage extending upwards from the larynx.
The epiglottis can close down over the larynx when someone is eating or drinking, preventing these food and liquids from entering the airway.
Because the epiglottis may swell considerably, there is a danger that the airway will be blocked off by the very structure designed to protect it.
Because epiglottitis involves swelling and infection of tissues, which are all located at or above the level of the epiglottis, it is sometimes referred to as supraglottitis (supra meaning above).
Because the swollen epiglottis interferes significantly with air movement, every breath creates a loud, harsh, high-pitched sound referred to as stridor.
Because the vocal cords are located in the larynx just below the area of the epiglottis, the swollen epiglottis makes the patient's voice sound muffled and strained.
An instrument called a laryngoscope is often used in the operating room to view the epiglottis, which will appear cherry-red and quite swollen.
The swollen epiglottis has a characteristic appearance, called the "thumb sign."
The nasopharynx and oropharynx merge into the larynx, which is protected by a trap door called the epiglottis.
The epiglottis helps prevent food and other swallowed substances from entering the larynx and the trachea.
When the epiglottis (the flap that covers the trachea during swallowing so that food odes not enter the lungs) is infected, it can swell to the point where it blocks the windpipe.
The epiglottis will look swollen and bright red if the doctor examines the patient's throat with a laryngoscope (a viewing device).
Epiglottitis-Inflammation of the epiglottis, most often caused by a bacterial infection.
Another serious disease stemming from this pathogen is epiglottitis, an infection of the epiglottis that cause swelling of the airways and potential death.
The epiglottis normally prevents substances that have been swallowed, as well as substances that have been regurgitated (vomited), from heading down through the larynx into the lungs.