epiglottis

epiglottis definition - medical

ep·i·glot·tis (ĕpˌĭ-glŏtˈĭs)

noun pl. ep·i·glot·tis·es or ep·i·glot·ti·des (-glŏtˈĭ-dēzˌ)
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.

Related Forms:

  • epˌi·glotˈtic adjective

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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