epiglottis

noun epi·glot·tis \ ˌe-pə-ˈglä-təs \

Definition of epiglottis

: a thin plate of flexible cartilage in front of the glottis that folds back over and protects the glottis during swallowing

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Recent Examples of epiglottis from the Web

For doctors like us, this means initiating a conversation about the value that each patient places on eating before evaluating how food passes over the epiglottis.

— douglas jacobs, Washington Post, "Problems swallowing are a big killer, but the treatment can be horrible," 7 Mar. 2018
All that protects us from aspirating is a thin, cartilaginous flap of tissue called the epiglottis.

— douglas jacobs, Washington Post, "Problems swallowing are a big killer, but the treatment can be horrible," 7 Mar. 2018
Hemophilus influenza type B commonly causes deafness, permanent brain damage, epiglottis, severe eye infections and death.

— Philly.com, "Can I protect my child against meningitis?," 26 July 2017
Sometimes the tongue propels saliva backward before the epiglottis has time to cover the airway.

— sara manning peskin, m.d., New York Times, "The Symptoms of Dying," 20 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'epiglottis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of epiglottis

New Latin, from Greek epiglōttis, from epi- + glōttis glottis

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

epiglottis

noun epi·glot·tis \ ˌep-ə-ˈglät-əs \

medical 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