Epiglottis Flashcards

Examine the epiglottis, including its elastic cartilage, attachments, mucosal folds, anatomical relationships, swallowing function, and clinical relevance.

Card 1 of 28Question

What is the epiglottis?

A leaf-shaped cartilaginous structure that forms part of the anterior boundary of the laryngeal inlet.

In This Section

1. What is the epiglottis?

A leaf-shaped cartilaginous structure that forms part of the anterior boundary of the laryngeal inlet.

2. What type of cartilage forms the epiglottis?

Elastic cartilage, which provides flexibility and resistance to permanent deformation.

3. Where is the epiglottis located?

Posterior to the tongue and hyoid bone, superior to the thyroid cartilage, and anterior to the laryngeal inlet.

4. Which part of the epiglottis is broad and free?

The superior portion, which projects upward behind the root of the tongue.

5. What is the petiole of the epiglottis?

The narrow inferior stalk of the epiglottic cartilage that attaches to the thyroid cartilage.

6. Which ligament attaches the epiglottis to the thyroid cartilage?

The thyroepiglottic ligament.

7. Which ligament connects the anterior surface of the epiglottis to the hyoid bone?

The hyoepiglottic ligament.

8. What is the pre-epiglottic space?

A fat-containing space anterior to the epiglottis, bounded by the hyoid bone, thyrohyoid membrane, and thyroid cartilage.

9. Which mucosal fold connects the epiglottis to the midline of the tongue base?

The median glossoepiglottic fold.

10. Which paired mucosal folds connect the epiglottis to the lateral regions of the tongue base?

The lateral glossoepiglottic folds.

11. What are the epiglottic valleculae?

Paired mucosal depressions between the tongue base and epiglottis, separated by the median glossoepiglottic fold.

12. Which folds extend from the lateral margins of the epiglottis toward the arytenoid cartilages?

The aryepiglottic folds.

13. Which fibroelastic membrane contributes to the structural support of the aryepiglottic folds?

The quadrangular membrane, whose superior free edge forms the aryepiglottic ligament.

14. Which epiglottic surface faces the tongue and oropharynx?

The anterior, or lingual, surface.

15. Which epiglottic surface faces the laryngeal cavity?

The posterior, or laryngeal, surface.

16. What epithelium predominantly covers the lingual surface of the epiglottis?

Nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium.

17. What epithelium is commonly found on the inferior laryngeal surface of the epiglottis?

Pseudostratified ciliated columnar respiratory epithelium.

18. What is the main protective function of the epiglottis during swallowing?

It helps deflect swallowed material away from the laryngeal inlet as part of coordinated airway closure.

19. What movements contribute to epiglottic inversion during swallowing?

Elevation and anterior movement of the hyolaryngeal complex, together with tongue base retraction.

20. Does the epiglottis alone prevent aspiration during swallowing?

No. Airway protection also depends on arytenoid approximation, vestibular fold closure, and true vocal fold closure.

21. Which nerve provides the principal sensory innervation to the laryngeal surface of the epiglottis?

The internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, a branch of the vagus nerve.

22. Which cranial nerve contributes general sensation to the epiglottic region through lingual branches?

The glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX), particularly near the tongue base and valleculae.

23. Which artery supplies much of the epiglottis?

The superior laryngeal artery, usually arising from the superior thyroid artery.

24. To which lymph nodes does the epiglottic region primarily drain?

The upper deep cervical lymph nodes, often through pre-epiglottic and supraglottic lymphatic pathways.

25. What is the clinical significance of the epiglottic vallecula during direct laryngoscopy?

It is the usual placement site for a curved laryngoscope blade to elevate the epiglottis indirectly.

26. What is epiglottitis?

Acute inflammation and swelling of the epiglottis and surrounding supraglottic tissues, potentially obstructing the airway.

27. Why can marked epiglottic swelling rapidly compromise breathing?

Swollen supraglottic tissues can narrow the laryngeal inlet and obstruct airflow.

28. What is a common anatomical appearance of the epiglottis in infants compared with adults?

It is often relatively elongated, more curved, and positioned higher in the neck.