A thin leaf-shaped cartilage that is covered with LARYNGEAL MUCOSA and situated posterior to the root of the tongue and HYOID BONE. During swallowing, the epiglottis folds back over the larynx inlet thus prevents foods from entering the airway.
ID
http://purl.bioontology.org/ontology/MESH/D004825
altLabel
Cartilage, Epiglottic
Epiglottic Cartilage
Epiglottic Cartilages
Cartilages, Epiglottic
AN
inflammation = EPIGLOTTITIS
AQL
AB AH BS CH CY DE DG EM EN GD IM IN IR ME MI PA PH PP PS RE SU TR UL VI
cui
C0014540
DC
1
definition
A thin leaf-shaped cartilage that is covered with LARYNGEAL MUCOSA and situated posterior to the root of the tongue and HYOID BONE. During swallowing, the epiglottis folds back over the larynx inlet thus prevents foods from entering the airway.