ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -The flap that covers the trachea during swallowing so that food does not enter the lungs. Anatomy of the larynx. The three parts of the larynx are the supraglottis (including the epiglottis), the glottis (including the vocal cords), and the subglottis.

Detailed explanation-2: -A small flap of tissue called the epiglottis (eh-pih-GLAH-tus) protects the larynx. When we swallow, the epiglottis covers the larynx to prevent food and liquid from going into the lungs. The trachea (windpipe) is the part of the airway that continues below the larynx (LAIR-inks).

Detailed explanation-3: -The epiglottis is also an important landmark for intubation. The epiglottis has been identified as early as Aristotle, and gets its name from being above the glottis (epi-+ glottis).

Detailed explanation-4: -The larynx is the upper opening into the windpipe (trachea), the passageway to the lungs. Epiglottis-a flap of soft tissue and cartilage located just above the vocal cords. The epiglottis folds down over the vocal cords to help prevent food and irritants from entering the lungs.

Detailed explanation-5: -The epiglottis is a small, movable “lid” just above the larynx that prevents food and drink from entering the windpipe.