Information about Epiglottis
| Laryngoscopic view of interior of larynx | |
| subject #236 1095 | |
| Precursor | 4th and 6th branchial arch[1] |
Anatomy and function
The epiglottis guards the entrance of the glottis, the opening between the vocal folds.It is normally pointed upward, but during swallowing, elevation of the hyoid bone draws the larynx upward; as a result, the epiglottis folds down to a more horizontal position. In this manner it prevents food from going into the trachea and instead directs it to the esophagus, which is more posterior.
The epiglottis is one of three large cartilaginous structures that make up the larynx (voice box).
Clinical significance
Reflexes
The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) sends fibers to the upper epiglottis that contribute to the afferent limb of the gag reflex. The superior laryngeal branch of the vagus nerve (CN X) sends fibers to the lower epiglottis that contribute to the afferent limb of the cough reflex. [2]Infection of the epiglottis
In children, the epiglottis will occasionally become infected with Haemophilus influenzae or Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Although easily treated, this condition is a medical emergency because without treatment the epiglottis may swell and block the trachea, causing massive inflammation. This condition has become rare in countries where vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae (HIB) is administered.Additional images
) Larynx | ) Cut through the larynx of a horse | ) The cartilages of the larynx. Posterior view. | ) Ligaments of the larynx. Posterior view. |
) Coronal section of larynx and upper part of trachea. | ) The entrance to the larynx, viewed from behind. | Muscles of larynx. Posterior view. | ) Muscles of larynx. Side view. Right lamina of thyroid cartilage removed. |
Sagittal section of nose mouth, pharynx, and larynx. |
References
1. ^ Embryology at UNC hednk-025d
2. ^ April, Ernest. Clinical Anatomy, 3rd ed. Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins.
2. ^ April, Ernest. Clinical Anatomy, 3rd ed. Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins.
External links
General anatomy of neck (Throat • Pharynx • Larynx) | |
|---|---|
| Cartilages | Cricoid • Thyroid (Adam's apple) • Epiglottis • Arytenoid • Cuneiform • Corniculate |
| Ligaments | Extrinsic ligaments: Thyrohyoid membrane (Lateral thyrohyoid ligament, Median thyrohyoid ligament) • Hyoepiglottic ligament • Cricotracheal ligament Intrinsic ligaments: Cricothyroid ligament |
| Folds and related structures | Folds: (Glossoepiglottic, Aryepiglottic, Vocal, Vestibular) • Vocal ligament • Ventricle of the larynx • Infraglottic cavity • Vestibule of larynx • Rima glottidis • Glottis |
| Triangles of the neck | Anterior of the neck (Muscular, Carotid, Submandibular, Submental) • Posterior of the neck (Occipital, Subclavian) • Suboccipital |
| Fascia | Deep cervical fascia (Pretrachial fascia, Prevertebral fascia, Investing layer) • Carotid sheath |
| Other | Retropharyngeal space |
Embryology is the study of the development of an embryo. An embryo is defined as any vertebrate in a stage before birth or hatching. Embryology refers to the development of the egg cell (zygote) after fertilization and the differentiation of cells into tissues and organs.
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In the development of vertebrate animals, the pharyngeal arches (also called branchial arches or gill arches in fish) develop during the fourth and fifth week in utero
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Elastic cartilage is a type of cartilage present in the outer ear, larynx, and epiglottis which contains fibers made of elastin.
Elastic cartilage, histologically is similar to hyaline cartilage but contains a plethora of elastic fibers.
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Elastic cartilage, histologically is similar to hyaline cartilage but contains a plethora of elastic fibers.
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The mucous membranes (or mucosae; singular: mucosa) are linings of mostly endodermal origin, covered in epithelium, and are involved in absorption and secretion. They line various body cavities that are exposed to the external environment and internal organs.
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The tongue is the large bundle of skeletal muscles on the floor of the mouth that manipulates food for chewing and swallowing (deglutition). It is the primary organ of taste. Much of the surface of the tongue is covered in taste buds.
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The space between the vocal cords is called the glottis.
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Function
As the vocal cords vibrate, the resulting vibration produces a "buzzing" quality to the speech, called voice or voicing...... Click the link for more information.
The vocal folds, also known popularly as vocal cords, are composed of twin infoldings of mucous membrane stretched horizontally across the larynx. They vibrate, modulating the flow of air being expelled from the lungs during phonation.
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Swallowing, known scientifically as deglutition, is the reflex in the human body that makes something pass from the mouth, to the pharynx, into the esophagus, with the shutting of the epiglottis.
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trachea, or windpipe, is a tube that has an inner diameter of about 20-25 mm and a length of about 10-16cm. It extends from the larynx to the primary (main) bronchi in mammals, and from the pharynx to the syrinx in birds, allowing the passage of air to the lungs.
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The esophagus (also spelled oesophagus/œsophagus, Greek οἰσοφάγος), or gullet
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The larynx (plural larynges), colloquially known as the voicebox, is an organ in the neck of mammals involved in protection of the trachea and sound production.
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The glossopharyngeal nerve is the ninth of twelve pairs of cranial nerves. It exits the brainstem out from the sides of the upper medulla, just rostral (closer to the nose) to the vagus nerve.
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Afferent is an anatomical term with the following meanings:
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- Conveying towards a center, for example the afferent arterioles conveying blood towards the Bowman's capsule in the Kidney.
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The pharyngeal reflex or gag reflex is a reflex contraction of the back of the throat, evoked by touching the soft palate[1], that prevents something from entering the throat except as part of normal swallowing. This helps prevent choking.
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The vagus nerve (also called pneumogastric nerve or cranial nerve X) is the tenth of twelve paired cranial nerves, and is the only nerve that starts in the brainstem (within the medulla oblongata) and extends, through the jugular foramen, down below the head, to the
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The cough reflex has both sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) pathways. The internal laryngeal nerve carries the sensory information away from the area above the glottis in the trachea to the CNS via cranial nerve X (vagus).
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Haemophilus influenzae
Classification & external resources
ICD-10 A 49.2
ICD-9 041.5
Haemophilus influenzae
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Classification & external resources
ICD-10 A 49.2
ICD-9 041.5
Haemophilus influenzae
H. influenzae on a blood agar plate.
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S. pneumoniae
Binomial name
Streptococcus pneumoniae
(Klein 1884)
Chester 1901
Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus
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Binomial name
Streptococcus pneumoniae
(Klein 1884)
Chester 1901
Streptococcus pneumoniae, or pneumococcus
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Vaccination is the administration of antigenic material to produce immunity to a disease. This will prevent or ameliorate the effects of infection by a pathogen. The material administrated can either be live, but weakened forms of pathogens such as bacteria or viruses,
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, coeducational, research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States. Also known as The University of North Carolina, Carolina, North Carolina, or simply UNC
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Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university, located in Washington, D.C.'s Georgetown neighborhood. Father John Carroll founded the school in 1789, though its roots extend back to 1634.
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Human anatomy is primarily the scientific study of the morphology of the adult human body.[1] It is subdivided into gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy.[1]
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The neck is the part of the body on many limbed vertebrates that distinguishes the head from the torso or trunk.
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Anatomy of the human neck
Bony anatomy: The cervical spine
The cervical portion of the human spine..... Click the link for more information.
In anatomy, the throat is the part of the neck anterior to the vertebral column. It consists of the pharynx and larynx. An important feature of the throat is the epiglottis, a flap which separates the oesophagus from the trachea and prevents inhalation of food or drink.
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The pharynx (plural: pharynges) is the part of the neck and throat situated immediately posterior to the mouth and nasal cavity, and cranial, or superior, to the esophagus, larynx, and trachea.
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The larynx (plural larynges), colloquially known as the voicebox, is an organ in the neck of mammals involved in protection of the trachea and sound production.
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Cartilage is a type of dense connective tissue. It is composed of collagen fibers and/or elastin fibers, and can supply smooth surfaces for the movement of articulating bones.
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The cricoid cartilage, or simply cricoid (from the Greek krikoeides meaning "ring-shaped"), is the only complete ring of cartilage around the trachea.
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Location
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The thyroid cartilage is the largest of the nine cartilages that make up the laryngeal skeleton, the cartilage structure in and around the trachea that contains the larynx.
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The arytenoid cartilages are a pair of small three-sided pyramids which form part of the larynx, to which the vocal cords are attached.
Each is pyramidal in form, and has three surfaces, a base, and an apex.
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Each is pyramidal in form, and has three surfaces, a base, and an apex.
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