The epiglottis is flap of cartilage located in the throat behind
the tongue and in front of the larynx. 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. After swallowing the epiglottis returns to its original
upright position.
Review Date: 07/08/2009
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason
Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, Clinic. Also reviewed by David
Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
