Education Journalist | Study Abroad Lead
Epiglottis is a cartilaginous flap-like structure present at the border of the glottis. The main function of the epiglottis is to prevent the entry of food in the windpipe of the respiratory system, so to protect the windpipe the epiglottis moves downward at the time of swallowing of food. Glottis is a very narrow part of the larynx or sound box. It opens in the wind pipe and has the vocal cords of the humans as its border. The size of glottis is also responsible for the type of voice the person has. At the time of swallowing of food, the glottis contracts and moves in the upward direction. The glottis is also responsible for the sound production in organisms. Glottic stenosis is the uneasiness in the larynx caused due to the narrowing of the glottis, the main causes of narrowing are webbing, scarring and fibrosis in the glottis. Endotracheal intubation is the most common cause of glottic stenosis. In this article, we will look at glottis, epiglottis and the differences between the two.
| Table of Contents |
Key Terms: larynx, size of glottis, Endotracheal intubation, glottic stenosis.
What is Glottis?
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
The glottis is the narrow part of the larynx covered by the vocal cords. The glottis opens into the windpipe, the main function of the glottis is the generation of vibrations that results in the creation of sound, or we can say that the glottis is the site of sound generation in the organisms. While swallowing food the glottis contracts with the contraction in the larynx and moves in the upward direction. This movement prevents the entry of food into the windpipe of the organism.
Glottis
If the food enters the windpipe the risk of choking is high which can cause cough, and sometimes when the food can not come out of the windpipe, then it can cause death too. The size of the glottis or the space of the glottis affects the activity of the larynx which ultimately is responsible for the changes in a person’s voice. The pronunciation of any sound is created by the vibrations of the vocal cords.
What is Epiglottis?
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Epiglottis is a cartilaginous flap like structure covering the entry of the larynx (windpipe) and is present in the upper part of the neck just below the mouth, the epiglottis has only one function of preventing the food to enter in the wind pipe or larynx. Epiglottis also participates in the production of sound and is open all the time but closes the laryngeal tract only at the time of swallowing something. At the time of swallowing the epiglottis moves downwards to close the inlet of the laryngeal tract. Epiglottis is present at the top of glottis.
Epiglottis
Epiglottis and glottis both are present in the larynx of the neck.
Diseases related to glottis and epiglottis
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
- Glottic stenosis:Glottic stenosis is the uneasiness in the larynx caused due to the narrowing of the glottis, the main causes of narrowing are webbing, scarring, and fibrosis in the glottis. Endotracheal intubation is the most common cause of glottic stenosis.
Endotracheal intubation is the process of putting a tube in the throat of a patient who is not able to breathe on his/her own. The ventilator is connected to the pipe that pumps air in the lungs with oxygen, the pipe in the throat is the major cause of glottic stenosis. The treatment is done after the diagnosis of the stenosis, after knowing the seriousness of the disease the treatment is selected if the patient is in a very critical situation only then the surgical methods are done.
- Epiglottitis:Epiglottitis is a condition in which the epiglottis becomes swollen and blocks the passage of air into the lungs of the body. Epiglottitis has the potential to kill the person. Epiglottitis can be caused by a number of reasons like burns caused by the hot milk, different infections in the epiglottis, direct physical injury that can also cause epiglottitis.
Haemophilus influenzae is the main cause of epiglottitis in children, the disease has now become rare due to the presence of the vaccination that is done in the infantry stage of the kid. If there is a case of epiglottitis then the patient should be helped immediately to prevent death.
Sound system of human beings
Difference between glottis and epiglottis
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
The main difference between the glottis and epiglottis is as follows:
| Glottis | Epiglottis |
|---|---|
| Glottis is present in the larynx of the windpipe | Epiglottis is present at the starting tip or inlet of the larynx |
| Size of the glottis determines the type of voice of the person | Size of the epiglottis doesn’t affect the voice type in any way. |
| At the time of swallowing the glottis moves with the larynx in the upward direction | At the time of swallowing the epiglottis moves in the opposite direction of larynx movement to close the laryngeal opening. |
| The glottis is the narrow lumen covered with the vocal cords. | The epiglottis is the flap (leaf) like structure present at the opening of the larynx. |
Things to remember
- Epiglottis is a cartilaginous flap-like structure present at the border of the glottis.
- Glottis is a very narrow part of the larynx or sound box.
- The main function of the epiglottis is to prevent the entry of food in the windpipe.
- The size of glottis is also responsible for the type of voice the person has.
- At the time of swallowing of food, the glottis contracts and moves in the upward direction.
- Glottic stenosis is the uneasiness in the larynx caused due to the narrowing of the glottis.
- Glottis is the site of sound generation in organisms.
- Epiglottis and glottis both are present in the larynx of the neck.
- The epiglottis has only one function of preventing the food from entering the windpipe or larynx.
Sample questions
Ques. What is glottis? Explain with the help of a diagram? (5 marks)
Ans. The glottis is the narrow part of the larynx covered by the vocal cords. The glottis opens into the windpipe, the main function of the glottis is the generation of vibrations that results in the creation of sound, or we can say that the glottis is the site of sound generation in the organisms. While swallowing food the glottis contracts with the contraction in the larynx and moves in the upward direction. This movement prevents the entry of food into the windpipe of the organism.
The size of the glottis or the space of the glottis affects the activity of the larynx which ultimately is responsible for the changes in a person’s voice. The pronunciation of any sound is created by the vibrations of the vocal cords.
Ques. Write the difference between the glottis and epiglottis? (5 marks)
Ans. The difference between glottis and epiglottis is as follows:
| Glottis | Epiglottis |
|---|---|
| Glottis is present in the larynx of the windpipe | Epiglottis is present at the starting tip or inlet of the larynx |
| Size of the glottis determines the type of voice of the person | Size of the epiglottis doesn’t affect the voice type in any way. |
| At the time of swallowing the glottis moves with the larynx in the upward direction | At the time of swallowing the epiglottis moves in the opposite direction of larynx movement to close the laryngeal opening. |
| The glottis is the narrow lumen covered with the vocal cords. | The epiglottis is the flap(leaf)like structure present at the opening of the larynx. |
Ques. Explain what is epiglottis? (3 marks)
Ans. Epiglottis is a cartilaginous flap-like structure covering the entry of the larynx (windpipe) and is present in the upper part of the neck just below the mouth, the epiglottis has only one function of preventing the food to enter the windpipe or larynx. Epiglottis also participates in the production of sound and is open all the time but closes the laryngeal tract only at the time of swallowing something. At the time of swallowing the epiglottis moves downwards to close the inlet of the laryngeal tract.
Ques. Explain a problem caused in the epiglottis? (5 marks)
Ans. Epiglottitis is a condition in which the epiglottis becomes swollen and blocks the passage of air into the lungs of the body. Epiglottitis has the potential to kill the person. Epiglottitis can be caused by a number of reasons like burns caused by the hot milk, different infections in the epiglottis, direct physical injury that can also cause epiglottitis. Haemophilus influenzae is the main cause of epiglottitis in children, the disease has now become rare due to the presence of the vaccination that is done in the infantry stage of the kid. If there is a case of epiglottitis then the patient should be helped immediately to prevent death.
Ques. What is glottic stenosis? Discuss the cause and treatment for the same? (5 marks)
Ans. Glottic stenosis is the uneasiness in the larynx caused due to the narrowing of the glottis, the main causes of narrowing are webbing, scarring, and fibrosis in the glottis. Endotracheal intubation is the most common cause of glottic stenosis. Endotracheal intubation is the process of putting a tube in the throat of a patient who is not able to breathe on his/her own. The ventilator is connected to the pipe that pumps air in the lungs with oxygen, the pipe in the throat is the major cause of glottic stenosis. The treatment is done after the diagnosis of the stenosis, after knowing the seriousness of the disease the treatment is selected if the patient is in a very critical situation only then the surgical methods are done.
Ques. Discuss the sound production in humans? (3 marks)
Ans. In humans the sound is produced from the throat, in the throat the larynx is present which is known as the soundbox. The soundbox contains the glottis and the vocal cords, vocal cords are present as the boundaries of the glottis and the sound is generated by the vibrations caused in the vocal cords, the size of the glottis is responsible for the type of voice the person has.
Comments