epiglottis
epi·glot·tis
noun \ˌep-ə-ˈglät-əs\Definition of EPIGLOTTIS
: 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
Illustration of EPIGLOTTIS
Learn More About
Seen & Heard 
What made you want to look up epiglottis? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
