 990,598,668 visitors served. | 
|
 Dictionary/ thesaurus |  Medical dictionary |  Legal dictionary |  Financial dictionary |  Acronyms |  Idioms |  Encyclopedia |  Wikipedia encyclopedia | ? |
epiglottis |
Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia | 0.07 sec. |
epiglottisSmall flap located behind the root of the tongue in mammals. It closes off the end of the windpipe during swallowing to prevent food from passing into it and causing choking. The action of the epiglottis is a highly complex reflex process involving two phases. During the first stage a mouthful of chewed food is lifted by the tongue towards the top and back of the mouth. This is accompanied by the cessation of breathing and by the blocking of the nasal areas from the mouth. The second phase involves the epiglottis moving over the larynx while the food passes down into the oesophagus. |
|
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Email
Feedback
? Mentioned in | ? References in periodicals archive | |
|---|---|---|
The type 3 designation applies to cases caused by other etiologies, such as underlying neuromuscular disorders and posterior epiglottic collapse; it was treated with a tracheostomy. Epiglottic histoplasmosis presenting in a nonendemic region: a clinical mimic of laryngeal carcinoma. We describe a new case of epiglottic primary malignant melanoma in a 74-year-old man who presented with hoarseness and a foreign-body sensation. |
epiglottic
 |
| Free Tools: |
For surfers:
Browser extension |
Word of the Day |
Help
For webmasters: Free content NEW! | Linking | Lookup box | Double-click lookup | Partner with us |
|
|---|
Disclaimer |
Privacy policy |
Feedback | Copyright © 2008 Farlex, Inc.All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.