Epiglottis

is a cartilaginous plate behind the tongue, which covers the glottis like a lid during the act of swallowing, and thus prevents foreign bodies from entering the larynx. In its ordinary position during respiration it is pointed upwards, but in the act of swallowing it is pre ed downwards and backwards by the drawing up of the windpipe beneath the base of the tongue, and thus closes the entrance to the air-pa ages. See Larynx .