====== EPIGLOTTIS ======


  * Epiglottis 
    * shape 
      * leaf shaped 
      * upper end 
        * broad and free 
        * projects upwards behind the hyoid bone and tongue 
      * lower end or thyroepiglottic ligament 
        * pointed 
        * attached to the upper part of angle between 
          * two lamina of thyroid cartilage 
      * margins 
        * right and left margins 
          * provide attachment to aryepiglottic folds 
      * surfaces 
        * anterior surface 
          * connected to tongue 
            * by median glossoepiglottic fold 
          * connected to hyoid bone 
            * by hyoepiglottic ligament 
        * posterior surface 
          * covered by mucous membrane 
          * presents a tubercle in lower part  
      * between 
        * thyroid cartilage and margins of epiglottis 
          * thyroepiglottic muscle 
          * keeps inlet of larynx patent for breathing
        * aryepiglottic muscle 
          * closes inlet during swallowing
    * situation 
      * anterior wall of upper part of larynx 




{{:histology:epiglottis.jpg}}