epiglottis

IPA/ˌepɪˈɡlɒtɪs/
IPA/ˌepɪˈɡlɑːtɪs/

epiglottis — noun

  • epiglottissingular
  • epiglottidesplural

1. Located at the bottom of the throat where the tongue ends, this small movable ti

1.名詞B2
釋義

Located at the bottom of the throat where the tongue ends, this small movable tissue flap folds backward to cover the windpipe each time a person swallows. By sealing off the airway, it directs food and liquid into the esophagus instead of the lungs.

例句

Imani's doctor used a tiny camera to check whether her epiglottis was swollen.

check whether [possessive] epiglottis was swollen — medical examination context

Joon choked on water because his epiglottis did not close fast enough over the windpipe.

epiglottis + close over + windpipe — swallowing / choking event

文法句型

the epiglottis

[possessive] epiglottis

用法筆記

A medical or biology term. The epiglottis is not visible from the mouth under normal conditions — it sits behind the tongue near the voice box. Swelling of the epiglottis (epiglottitis) is a serious medical condition that requires urgent care.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor checked my epiglottis with a tongue depressor.
✅The doctor checked my epiglottis with a small camera (laryngoscope).
💡A tongue depressor cannot reach the epiglottis, which sits behind the tongue near the voice box.
❌The epiglottis is the small thing that hangs at the back of the throat.
✅The epiglottis is a flap of tissue behind the tongue that covers the windpipe.
💡The dangling part at the back of the throat is the uvula, not the epiglottis.