glottis

Examples of glottis in the following topics:

• Larynx

  • The interior of the larynx consists of three regions, the supraglottis, glottis, and subglottis.
  • The glottis is the midsection that contains the vocal folds (folds of muscular epithelium), while the supraglottis and subglottis are the areas of the larynx that are above and below the glottis respectively.
  • The glottis consists of two pairs of mucosal folds.

• Laryngitis and Cancer of the Larynx

  • For the purposes of tumor staging, the larynx is divided into three anatomical regions: the glottis (true vocal cords, anterior and posterior commissures); the supraglottis (epiglottis, arytenoids and aryepiglottic folds, and false cords); and the subglottis.
  • Most laryngeal cancers originate in the glottis.

• Structures Used in Voice Production

  • Vibration: The vocal folds in the glottis of the larynx vibrate as air passes through them.

• Intubation During Anesthesia

  • Four anatomic features must be present for orotracheal intubation to be straightforward: adequate mouth opening (full range of motion of the temporomandibular joint), sufficient pharyngeal space (determined by examining the hypopharynx), sufficient submandibular space (distance between the thyroid cartilage and the chin, the space into which the tongue must be displaced in order for the larygoscopist to view the glottis), and adequate extension of the cervical spine at the atlanto-occipital joint.

• Pharynx

  • Because both food and air pass through the pharynx, a flap of connective tissue called the epiglottis closes over the glottis (tracheal opening) when food is swallowed to prevent accidental inhalation.