ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -What is the epiglottis? Your epiglottis is a small, leaf-shaped sheet of elastic cartilage that protects your larynx (voice box) and helps you swallow. Your larynx is a hollow tube that helps move air from your nose and mouth to your lungs.

Detailed explanation-2: -Listen to pronunciation. (eh-pih-GLAH-tis) The flap that covers the trachea during swallowing so that food does not enter the lungs. Enlarge.

Detailed explanation-3: -The epiglottis is usually upright at rest allowing air to pass into the larynx and lungs. When a person swallows the epiglottis folds backward to cover the entrance of the larynx so food and liquid do not enter the windpipe and lungs.

Detailed explanation-4: -The epiglottis is a small, movable “lid” just above the larynx that prevents food and drink from entering the windpipe.

Detailed explanation-5: -Glottis vs Epiglottis The glottis opens into the windpipe and is responsible for the production of sound. While the epiglottis is a cartilaginous flap on top of the glottis that prevents the food from entering the larynx.