Anatomy

Epiglottis

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.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

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.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

Knowledge Graph

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

4 entry terms
  • Epiglottic Cartilage
  • Cartilage, Epiglottic
  • Cartilages, Epiglottic
  • Epiglottic Cartilages

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

24 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings abnormalities, anatomy & histology, blood supply, chemistry, cytology, diagnostic imaging, drug effects, embryology, enzymology, growth & development, immunology, injuries, innervation, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, physiopathology, radiation effects, surgery, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

inflammation = EPIGLOTTITIS

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. A02w.165w.257w.625w.411w
  2. A02w.165w.407w.500w.411w
  3. A04w.329w.591w.411w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Epiglottis. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D004825. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D004825
  2. Epiglottis. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiglottis
  3. Epiglottis. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q235378