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
See all Example Sentences for epiglottis 
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
See all Example Sentences for epiglottis
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'epiglottis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near epiglottis
Cite this Entry
“Epiglottis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epiglottis. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
adjective
-ˈglät-ᵊl
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
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