epiglottis
UK /ˌɛp.ɪˈɡlɒt.ɪs/ · US /ˌɛp.ɪˈɡlɑ.tɪs/ noun
Forms epiglottises epiglottides
- noun (anatomy) 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.
Etymology
Borrowed from New Latin epiglōttis, from Ancient Greek ἐπῐγλωττῐ́ς (epĭglōttĭ́s, “valve covering the larynx”), from ἐπῐ- (epĭ-, “upon, over”) + γλωττῐ́ς (glōttĭ́s, “glottis, mouth of the windpipe”); equivalent to epi- (“upon; above”) + glottis.
Webster’s 1913
- noun A cartilaginous lidlike appendage which closes the glottis while food or drink is passing while food or drink is passing through the pharynx.
Etymology [NL., fr. Gr. Glottis.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “epiglottis”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details