n. pl. ep·i·glot·tis·es or ep·i·glot·ti·des (-glŏtĭ-dēz′) The thin elastic cartilaginous structure located at the root of the tongue that folds over the glottis to prevent food and liquid from entering the trachea during the act of swallowing. [Greek epiglōttis : epi-, epi- + glōttis, glottis; see GLOTTIS.] ep′i·glottal (-glŏtl), ep′i·glottic (-glŏtĭk) adj. |
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