epiglottis

ep·i·glot·tis  (p-glts)

n. pl. ep·i·glot·tis·es or ep·i·glot·ti·des (-glt-dz)

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.

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[Greek epiglttis : epi-, epi- + glttis, glottis; see glottis.]

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epi·glottal (-gltl), epi·glottic (-gltk) adj.

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epiglottis

Noun

a thin flap of cartilage at the back of the mouth that covers the entrance to the larynx during swallowing [Greek epi upon + glōtta tongue]

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epiglottis  (p-glts)

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.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

epiglottis - a flap of cartilage that covers the windpipe while swallowing gustatory organ, taste bud, tastebud - an oval sensory end organ on the surface of the tongue cartilaginous structure - body structure given shape by cartilage trachea, windpipe - membranous tube with cartilaginous rings that conveys inhaled air from the larynx to the bronchi