[ ˌɛpɪ'glɒtɪs ]
■ noun a flap of cartilage behind the root of the tongue, which is depressed during swallowing to cover the opening of the windpipe.
Derivatives
epiglottal adjective
epiglottic adjective
Origin
ME: from Gk epiglōttis , from epi 'upon, near to' + glōtta 'tongue'.