Epiglottis - wikipedia Epiglottis Epiglottis Posterior view of the larynx. The epiglottis is the most superior structure shown. Details Precursor Hypopharyngeal eminence Identifiers Latin Epiglottis MeSH A02. 165.257. 625.411 Dorlands / Elsevier epiglottis TA A06. 2.07. 001 FMA 55130 Anatomical terminology ( edit on Wikidata ) The epiglottis is a flap made of elastic cartilage covered with a mucous membrane, attached to the entrance of the larynx. It projects obliquely upwards behind the tongue and the hyoid bone, pointing dorsally. It stands open during breathing, allowing air into the larynx. During swallowing, it closes to prevent aspiration, forcing the swallowed liquids or food to go down the esophagus instead. It is thus the valve that diverts passage to either the trachea or the esophagus. The epiglottis gets its name from being above the glottis ( epi - + glottis ). There are taste buds on the epiglottis. Contents 1 Structure 1.1 Histology 1.2 Development 2 Function 2.1 Gag reflex 3 Speech sounds 4 Clinical significance 4.1 Inflammation 5 History 6 Additional images 7 See also 8 References 9 External links Structure The epiglottis is shaped somewhat like a leaf of purslane, with the stem attached to the posterior part of the thyroid cartilage. The epiglottis is one of nine cartilaginous structures that make up the larynx ( voice box ). During breathing, it lies completely within the larynx. During swallowing, it serves as part of the anterior of the pharynx. Histology In a direct section of the epiglottis it can be seen that the body consists of elastic cartilage. The epiglottis has two surfaces, a lingual and a laryngeal surface, related to the oral cavity and the larynx respectively. The entire lingual surface and the apical portion of the laryngeal surface ( since it is vulnerable to abrasion due to its relation to the digestive tract ) are covered by stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium. However, some parts of the laryngeal surface, which is in relation to the respiratory system, has respiratory epithelium : pseudostratified, ciliated columnar cells and mucus secreting goblet cells. Development The epiglottis arises from the fourth pharyngeal arch. It can be seen as a distinct structure later than the other cartilage of the pharynx, visible around the fifth month of development. Function A high rising epiglottis is a normal anatomical variation, visible during an oral examination, which does not cause any serious problem apart from a mild sensation of a foreign body in the throat. It is seen more often in children than adults and does not need any medical or surgical intervention. The epiglottis is normally pointed upward during breathing with its underside functioning as part of the pharynx. During swallowing, elevation of the hyoid bone draws the larynx upward ; as a result, the epiglottis folds down to a more horizontal position, with its superior side functioning as part of the pharynx. In this manner, the epiglottis prevents food from going into the trachea and instead directs it to the esophagus, which is at the back. Should food or liquid enter the windpipe due to the epiglottis failing to close properly, the gag reflex is induced to protect the respiratory system. Gag reflex The glossopharyngeal nerve ( CN IX ) sends fibers to the upper epiglottis that contribute to the afferent limb of the gag reflex. ( The gag reflex is variable in people from a limited to a hypersensitive response. ) The superior laryngeal branch of the vagus nerve ( CN X ) sends fibers to the lower epiglottis that contribute to the efferent limb of the cough reflex. This initiates an attempt to try to dislodge the food or liquid from the windpipe. Speech sounds In some languages, the epiglottis is used to produce epiglottal consonant speech sounds, though this sound - type is rather rare. Clinical significance Inflammation Main article : Epiglottitis Inflammation of the epiglottis is known as epiglottitis. Epiglottitis is mainly caused by Haemophilus influenzae. A person with epiglottitis may have a fever, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty breathing. For this reason, in children, acute epiglottitis is considered a medical emergency, because of the risk of obstruction of the pharynx. Epiglottitis is often managed with antibiotics, racemic epinephrine ( a sympathomimetic bronchodilator that is delivered by aerosol ), and may require tracheal intubation or a tracheostomy if breathing is difficult. Behind the root of the tongue is an epiglottic vallecula which is an important anatomical landmark in intubation. The incidence of epiglottitis has decreased significantly in countries where vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae is administered. History The epiglottis was first described by Aristotle, although the epiglottis ' function was first defined by Vesalius in 1543. It also has Greek roots. Additional images Epiglotic cartilage. Larynx Cut through the larynx of a horse The cartilages of the larynx. Posterior view. Ligaments of the larynx. Posterior view. Coronal section of larynx and upper part of trachea. The entrance to the larynx, viewed from behind. Muscles of larynx. Side view. Right lamina of thyroid cartilage removed. Sagittal section of nose mouth, pharynx, and larynx. Larynx. 1 = vocal folds, 2 = vestibular fold, 3 = epiglottis, 4 = plica aryepiglottica, 5 = arytenoid cartilage, 6 = sinus piriformis, 7 = dorsum of the tongue See also This article uses anatomical terminology ; for an overview, see Anatomical terminology. Epiglottal consonant Epiglotto - pharyngeal consonant Pharyngeal consonant References Jump up ^ Stevenson, Roger E. ( 2006 ). Human malformations and related anomalies. Oxford ( Oxfordshire ) : Oxford University Press. ISBN 0 - 19 - 516568 - 3. Jump up ^ Jowett, A. ; Shrestha, R. ( 1998 ). `` Mucosa and taste buds of the human epiglottis ''. Journal of Anatomy. 193 ( 4 ) : 617 -- 618. doi : 10.1046 / j. 1469 - 7580.1998. 19340617. x. Jump up ^ Drake, Richard L. ; Vogl, Wayne ; Tibbitts, Adam W.M. Mitchell ( 2005 ). Gray 's anatomy for students. illustrations by Richard ; Richardson, Paul. Philadelphia : Elsevier / Churchill Livingstone. p. 951. ISBN 978 - 0 - 8089 - 2306 - 0. Jump up ^ Junqueiras basic histology text and atlas, 13th edition Jump up ^ Schoenwolf, Gary C. ; et al. ( 2009 ). `` '' Development of the Urogenital system `` ''. Larsen 's human embryology ( 4th ed., Thoroughly rev. and updated. ed. ). Philadelphia : Churchill Livingstone / Elsevier. p. 362. ISBN 9780443068119. Jump up ^ April, Ernest. Clinical Anatomy, 3rd ed. Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins. Jump up ^ Nicki R. Colledge ; Brian R. Walker ; Stuart H. Ralston, eds. ( 2010 ). Davidson 's principles and practice of medicine. illustrated by Robert Britton ( 21st ed. ). Edinburgh : Churchill Livingstone / Elsevier. p. 681. ISBN 978 - 0 - 7020 - 3084 - 0. Jump up ^ Reilly, Brian ; Reddy, Srijaya K. ; Verghese, Susan T. ( Oct 2012 ). `` Acute epiglottitis in the era of post-Haemophilus influenzae type B ( HIB ) vaccine ''. Journal of Anesthesia. 27 ( 2 ) : 316 -- 7. PMID 23076559. doi : 10.1007 / s00540 - 012 - 1500 - 9. Retrieved Nov 15, 2014. Jump up ^ Hermansen, MN ; Schmidt, J.H. ; Krug, A.H. ; Larsen, K ; Kristensen, S ( Apr 2014 ). `` Low incidence of children with acute epiglottis after introduction of vaccination ''. Dan Med J. 61 ( 4 ) : A4788. PMID 24814584. Jump up ^ Lydiatt, Daniel D. ; Bucher, Gregory S. ( 2010 ). `` The historical Latin and etymology of selected anatomical terms of the larynx ''. Clinical Anatomy : NA. doi : 10.1002 / ca. 20912. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Epiglottis. lesson11 at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman ( Georgetown University ) ( larynxsagsect ) Anatomy of the larynx Cartilage major / unpaired : Epiglottis Vallecula Thyroid Adam 's apple Cricoid minor / paired : Arytenoid Vocal process Muscular process Corniculate Cuneiform Ligaments / folds extrinsic ligaments : Hyoepiglottic ligament Thyrohyoid membrane Lateral ligament Median ligament Thyroepiglottic ligament Cricotracheal ligament intrinsic ligaments, upper : Quadrangular membrane Aryepiglottic Vestibular ligament / Vestibular fold intrinsic ligaments, lower : Cricothyroid ligament Median Lateral / Conus elasticus Vocal ligament / Vocal folds Laryngeal cavity Laryngeal inlet Vestibule Rima vestibuli Ventricle Rima glottidis / Glottis Infraglottic cavity Laryngeal muscles Cricothyroid Cricoarytenoid posterior lateral Arytenoid oblique arytenoid aryepiglottic transverse arytenoid Thyroarytenoid vocal thyroepiglottic Other Cricothyroid articulation Cricoarytenoid articulation Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Epiglottis&oldid=802550368 '' Categories : Digestive system Larynx Human throat Hidden categories : All articles lacking reliable references Articles lacking reliable references from June 2010 Medicine infobox template using GraySubject or GrayPage Medicine infobox template using Dorlands parameter All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from December 2009 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Български Bosanski Català Čeština Deutsch Ελληνικά Español Esperanto Euskara فارسی Français Gaeilge 한국어 Ido Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית Kurdî Lietuvių Bahasa Melayu Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Polski Português Română Русский Simple English کوردی Suomi Svenska తెలుగు ไทย Українська ייִדיש 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 26 September 2017, at 21 : 54. 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Question: what is the purpose of the epiglottis in the respiratory system of humans
Answer: prevents food from going into the trachea and instead directs it to the esophagus