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Epiglottis

Disease Epidural abscessEpiglottitis

Epiglottis
be elevated so that the epiglottis can slide up behind the soft ... palate and epiglottis and. direct path air has through the. nose to the lungs. ...
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Epiglottis
Breathing
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Epiglottis
Breathing
Reviewed last on: 10/2/2008
Jacob L. Heller, MD, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, Clinic. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Epiglottis, the lid like cartilaginous structure overhanging the entrance to the larynx, guarding it during swallowing .

epiglottis, acute supraglottitis, thermal epiglottitis, peritonsillar abscess, croup, H influenzae type b, Hib, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, varicella-zoster, herpes simplex virus type 1, Staphylococcus aureus, ...

epiglottis (ep-ih-GLAH-tis)
The flap that covers the trachea during swallowing so that food does not enter the lungs.
epilepsy ...

Epiglottis: A flap of tissue that covers the trachea when swallowing so that food does not go into the lungs.
Epistaxis: Nosebleed.
Epithelium: A thin layer of tissue that covers organs, glands and other parts of the body.

Epiglottis
The epiglottis is a fibro-cartilaginous lid shaped like a leaf which covers the upper opening of the larynx. It is covered by a mucous membrane and contains taste and mucous glands.

The epiglottis is the flap-like cartilage at the base of the tongue that acts as a valve to protect the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe).

The epiglottis normally remains in an open position to allow air to enter the windpipe. When infected with bacteria or a virus, the epiglottis may become sore, red, and swollen, and may obstruct the airway.

Suprahyoid epiglottis (lingual and laryngeal surfaces)
Infrahyoid epiglottis
False cords
Arytenoid
Aryepiglottic folds ...

The inflamed epiglottis mechanically obstructs the airway; the work of breathing increases, and the retention of carbon dioxide and hypoxia (low oxygen) may result. Clearance of secretions is also impaired.

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The epiglottis is a small cartilage "lid" that seals off the larynx when you swallow so that food and drink don't enter your windpipe (trachea)....
Risk factors ...

Inflammation of the epiglottis is usually caused by the bacteria Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae), although it may be caused by other bacteria or viruses. Upper respiratory infections can lead to epiglottitis.

Epiglottitis is an acute life-threatening bacterial infection that results in swelling and inflammation of the epiglottis.

A flap called the epiglottis closes off the passage to the windpipe so food cannot get into the lungs. The muscles in the throat relax. Food and liquid are quickly passed down the pharynx (throat) into the esophagus.

As a result of the inflammation there is a general swelling of the parts about the larynx and the epiglottis, the result being a narrowing of the channel for the entrance of the air, and to this the chief dangers are due.

This infection and inflammation may spread to involve the epiglottis as well as other upper airway structures. Epiglottitis usually begins as an inflammation and swelling between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis.

The tongue, soft palate, and epiglottis are covered with structures known as taste buds, or lingual papillae, that allow humans to sense different tastes in the foods they eat.

The epiglottis folds over the trachea when a swallow occurs, to prevent the swallowed substance from being inhaled into the lungs.

epiglottis - a flap of soft tissue located just above the vocal cords. The epiglottis folds down over the vocal cords to prevent food and irritants from entering the lungs.

When you swallow, a flap called the epiglottis covers the opening of your larynx to keep food out of your lungs. The food passes through the esophagus on its way from your mouth to your stomach.
Talking: The larynx produces the sound of your voice.

Stroke, seizures, alcohol, and various drugs interfere with the function of the epiglottis. This leads to a leaky seal on the trap door, with possible contamination by swallowed substances and/or regurgitated stomach contents.

During the infection, the epiglottis rapidly swells, blocking the passage of air into the lungs. This is potentially fatal and is a medical emergency.
What causes it?
Epiglottitis is caused by a bacteria called haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib).

Laryngeal/ subglottic (obstruction occurring below the epiglottis)
Viral croup
Spasmodic croup
Foreign body
Bacterial tracheitis (inflammation of the trachea)
Laryngomalacia +/- viral infection (in infants)
Diptheria
Thermal/ chemical injury ...

A very rapidly progressive infection causing inflammation of the epiglottis (the flap that covers the trachea) and tissues around the epiglottis that may lead to abrupt blockage of the upper airway and death.
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epiglottis - located above the larynx and works with the larynx and vocal cords to push the food into the esophagus, therefore keeping food from entering the windpipe.

Inflammation of the epiglottis (epiglottitis).
Inflammation of the uvula (uvulitis).
In rare cases, a sexually transmitted disease (STD), such as gonorrhea or chlamydia.

Acute bacterial epiglottitis can cause rapid airway obstruction as the epiglottis swells and occludes the airway. Acute epiglottitis is preventable by vaccination against H. influenzae bacteria.
Retropharyngeal abscess ...

The area above the cords is called the supraglottis, and the area below the cords is called the subglottis. The epiglottis is a flap at the top of the trachea that closes over the larynx to protect it from food that is swallowed into the esophagus.

and slow to respond to treatment, a neck X-ray may be taken to rule out any other reasons for the breathing difficulty, such as a foreign object lodged in the throat, an abscess behind the throat, or epiglottitis (a inflammation of the epiglottis, ...

During swallowing, the vocal folds (vocal cords) come together and with the epiglottis protect the airway and prevent food from entering to the lungs. The larynx contains the vocal folds that vibrate to make sound for speech production.

The voice box is made of cartilage and contains the vocal cords that vibrate to make sound when you talk. Throat cancer can also affect the piece of cartilage (epiglottis) that acts as a lid for your windpipe.

See also: Trachea, Breathing, Food, Infection, Larynx