epiglottis

Etymology

From New Latin epiglottis, from Ancient Greek ἐπιγλωττίς (epiglōttís), from ἐπί (epí, “on”) + γλῶττίς (glôttís, “glottis”).

Pronunciation

• (Canada) IPA^(key): /ˌɛpɪˈɡlɑtɪs/

Noun

epiglottis (plural epiglottises or epiglottides)

1. (anatomy) A cartilaginous organ in the throat of terrestrial vertebrates covering the glottis when swallowing to prevent food and liquid from entering the trachea, and in Homo sapiens also a speech organ.
   • 2004, Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear Series 5, Episode 9:

     My epiglottis is full of bees!

See also

• Wikipedia article on the epiglottis
• epiglottis on Wikimedia Commons.Wikimedia Commons

Anagrams

• pig toilets

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἐπιγλωττίς (epiglōttís), derived from γλῶττα (glôtta), variant of γλῶσσα (glôssa, “tongue”).

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /e.piˈɡloːt.tis/, [ɛ.pɪˈɡɫoːt.tɪs]
• (Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /e.piˈɡlot.tis/

Noun

epiglōttis f (genitive epiglōttidis); third declension

1. (Late Latin, anatomy) epiglottis