Epiglottis

What is the epiglottis?

Your epiglottis is a small, leaf-shaped sheet of elastic cartilage that protects your larynx (voice box) and helps you swallow. Your larynx is a hollow tube that helps move air from your nose and mouth to your lungs. It’s located at the upper opening of your trachea (windpipe), which is the passageway to your lungs.

Your larynx is open at the top so air can move through it to your trachea. When you swallow, however, your epiglottis moves to cover the top of your larynx. Like a roadblock, your epiglottis prevents traffic (food and fluid) from using a specific road (your larynx) and moves traffic to another road (your esophagus).

When something affects your epiglottis, food and fluid that should go down your esophagus end up in your larynx. Your body reacts by making you cough so your larynx can dislodge the food and fluid (food and liquid in your larynx may also make you choke). More seriously, food or fluid in your larynx can move into your trachea and then into your lungs. This is aspiration, which can cause serious medical issues, such as pneumonia.

How does my epiglottis work?

If you’re like most people, you swallow between 500 and 700 times a day, and your epiglottis goes into action with every swallow. When you swallow, the free end of your epiglottis flips backward to cover the opening of your larynx. When food or fluid gets close, the free end of your epiglottis flips up and pushes food or liquid away from your larynx toward your esophagus.

How does my epiglottis move to cover my larynx?

Healthcare providers believe several things happen to move your epiglottis into place when you swallow:

• Your larynx and hyoid bone — the bone in the middle of your throat — move up and forward, causing the back of your tongue to put pressure on your epiglottis.
• As food and fluid move toward your larynx, the same muscles and ligaments that help keep your epiglottis in place pull on it as they react to pressure from incoming food and fluid.
• The combined push and pull action makes the loose end of your epiglottis flip backward, covering the top of your larynx.
• With each swallow, the free end of your epiglottis swings up and down, like a trashcan lid that moves each time you push it. With each swing, your epiglottis keeps food and fluid from moving into your larynx.
• In between swallows, your epiglottis moves back to its original position so air can get to your larynx.

Where is the epiglottis located?

Your epiglottis is just behind your tongue, above and in front of your larynx. A combination of ligaments, muscles and mucous membrane anchor the base and sides of your epiglottis while leaving the top of your epiglottis loose and able to move. (Think of a tent with the back and sides tied down and the front flaps left untied so you can push them aside.)

Are there common conditions or disorders that affect the epiglottis?

Epiglottitis — when your epiglottis becomes swollen and inflamed — is the most common condition affecting your epiglottis. Most of the time, epiglottitis happens because you have an infection. Symptoms of epiglottitis caused by infections appear suddenly and get worse very quickly. Common epiglottitis symptoms include severe sore throat, pain when you swallow or difficulty swallowing.

Other things may make your epiglottis swell, such as drinking very hot liquids, being hit in your neck, smoking or chemical burns.

Depending on the cause, your epiglottis can swell so much that it blocks your larynx so you can’t get oxygen. Severe epiglottitis is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention so your body gets the oxygen it needs to function.

Sometimes, your epiglottis can become floppy or collapse. Normally, your epiglottis is upright unless it’s covering the top of your larynx. Floppy or collapsed epiglottis happens when your epiglottis “flops” over onto your glottis, affecting your ability to breathe. Some healthcare providers think floppy epiglottises contribute to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

What healthcare providers treat epiglottis issues?

Most of the time, people consult with a primary care physician if they have epiglottitis symptoms or feel as if they’re having trouble swallowing. A primary care physician may refer people to an otolaryngologist, a doctor who specializes in issues affecting your ears, nose and throat.

Can people get cancer of the epiglottis?

Yes, but it’s hard to say how often cancer affects people’s epiglottises. That’s because epiglottis cancer is one of several forms of laryngeal cancer. Your epiglottis is in the supraglottis section of your larynx. About 35% of laryngeal cancers start in your supraglottis.

What can I do to take care of my epiglottis?

Many things can damage your epiglottis so it can’t do its job. While you can’t avoid all of the circumstances that may damage your epiglottis, here are some suggestions on how to protect it:

• Quit smoking. Smoking can cause epiglottitis. If you smoke and you want to stop, ask a healthcare provider about programs and services that may help you.
• Cool your hot drinks. Drinking very hot liquids can damage your epiglottis.
• Protect yourself from infection. Ask a healthcare provider what vaccinations make sense. Avoid people who are sneezing and coughing.
• Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands and avoid placing your fingers in your eyes, nose or mouth and touching your face.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

There’s a reason — apart from good table manners — why you shouldn’t talk when your mouth is full of food. Every time you swallow your meal, your epiglottis moves to cover your larynx (windpipe) to keep food or liquid from getting into your larynx and possibly your lungs. Eating while talking increases the chance food or liquid will end up in your larynx, making you cough or choke as your larynx tries to dislodge food or liquid. Your epiglottis plays a big part in your respiratory health. You can take care of your epiglottis by stopping smoking and protecting yourself from infections that damage your epiglottis.