Epiglottis
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At the time the article was created Henry Knipe had no recorded disclosures.
View Henry Knipe's current disclosuresAt the time the article was last revised Craig Hacking had the following disclosures:
- Philips Australia, Paid speaker at Philips Spectral CT events (ongoing)
These were assessed during peer review and were determined to not be relevant to the changes that were made.
View Craig Hacking's current disclosures- Epiglottis anatomy
The epiglottis is a single midline leaf-shaped fibrocartilaginous structure that forms part of the supraglottic larynx and defines the division of the hypopharynx from the larynx. It helps conduct food boluses from the oropharynx to esophagus, avoiding the food entry into the larynx 7. It is one of the 9 laryngeal cartilages.
On this page:
Gross anatomy
The epiglottis projects posterosuperiorly from its stem-like base, which is attached to the internal surface of the anterior part of the thyroid cartilage. It is also attached to the base of the tongue via the median glossoepiglottic fold and the pharynx via the lateral glossoepiglottic folds.
Innervation
The mucosa lining the epiglottis is supplied by the internal laryngeal nerve, a branch of the superior laryngeal nerve from the vagus nerve (CN X).
Variant anatomy
Related pathology
References
- 1. Mandell J. Core Radiology: A Visual Approach to Diagnostic Imaging. Cambridge University Press. ISBN:1107679680. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 2. Buttler P. Applied radiological anatomy. Cambridge University Press. (1999) ISBN:0521481104. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 3. Berry. Diagnostic Radiology. Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd. ISBN:8180616363. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 4. Gray's Basic Anatomy: with STUDENT CONSULT Online Access, 1e (Grays Anatomy for Students). Churchill Livingstone. ISBN:1455710784. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 5. Tsurumi H, Ito M, Ishikura K, Hataya H, Ikeda M, Honda M, Nishimura G. Bifid epiglottis: syndromic constituent rather than isolated anomaly. Pediatr Int. 2010 Oct;52(5):723-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-200X.2010.03096.x. PMID: 20149127.
- 6. Tay SY, Loh WS, Lim TC. A Case Report of Absent Epiglottis in Children With Nager Syndrome: Its Impact on Swallowing. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2017 Nov;54(6):754-757. doi: 10.1597/15-315. Epub 2016 Oct 10. PMID: 27723379.
- 7. Stephanie Ryan, Michelle McNicholas, Stephen J. Eustace. Anatomy for Diagnostic Imaging. (2011) Page 37. ISBN: 9780702029714 - Google Books
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- Laryngeal vestibule
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- Squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx
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- Glottic abscess
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- Squamous cell carcinoma of larynx with transglottic spread - T4
- Epiglottic cyst
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- Supraglottitis
- Normal epiglottis location (illustration)
- Adenoid hypertrophy
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