3,326
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
no edit summary
The epiglottis is a flap of [[Bones and Cartilage - Anatomy & Physiology#Elastic Cartilage|elastic cartilage]] covered by mucous membrane. It forms the rostral boundary of the [[Larynx - Anatomy & Physiology|larynx]] and prevents food particles from entering the trachea.
The epiglottis is a flap of [[Bones and Cartilage - Anatomy & Physiology#Elastic Cartilage|elastic cartilage]] covered by mucous membrane. It forms the rostral boundary of the [[Larynx - Anatomy & Physiology|larynx]] and prevents food particles from entering the trachea.
The epiglottis can return to its normal size and shape after distortion due to the vast amount of elastic fibres present within.
==Histology==
==Histology==
[[Image:Epiglottis histology.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Epiglottis Histology - Copyright RVC]]
[[Image:Epiglottis histology.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Epiglottis Histology - Copyright RVC]]
*Covered by mucous membrane
*Covered by mucous membrane
*Irregular elastic fibres
**Dense network of branching fibres around the chondrocytes
**Less dense branching fibres towards the perichondrium
[[Image:Epiglottis histology 2.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Epiglottis Histology - Copyright RVC]]
[[Image:Epiglottis histology 2.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Epiglottis Histology - Copyright RVC]]