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| | <big><center>[[Larynx - Anatomy & Physiology|'''BACK TO THE LARYNX - ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY]]</center></big> | | <big><center>[[Larynx - Anatomy & Physiology|'''BACK TO THE LARYNX - ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY]]</center></big> |
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| − | [[Image:Larynx Anatomy.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Epiglottis in situ - Copyright Nottingham]] | + | [[ |
| − | ==Introduction==
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| − | 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.
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| − | The epiglottis can return to its normal size and shape after distortion due to the vast amount of elastic fibres present within.
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| − | [[Image:Epiglottic cartilage.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Epiglottic Cartilage - Copyright RVC]]
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| − | [[Image:Epiglottis histology.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Epiglottis Histology - Copyright RVC]]
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| − | ==Histology==
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| − | *Covered by mucous membrane
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| − | *Irregular elastic fibres
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| − | **Dense network of branching fibres around the chondrocytes
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| − | **Less dense branching fibres towards the perichondrium
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| − | ==Species Differences==
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| − | ===Avian===
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| − | *No epiglottis
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| − | [[Image:Epiglottis histology 2.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Epiglottis Histology - Copyright RVC]]
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| − | ==Links==
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| − | [[Larynx - Anatomy & Physiology]]
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| − | [[Lungs Inflammatory - Pathology#Aspiration pneumonia|Aspiratory Pneumonia]]
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