Yes, the epiglottis is one of the nine cartilages that make up the larynx. It is one of three large, unpaired cartilages in the laryngeal framework, alongside the thyroid cartilage (the one that forms your Adam’s apple) and the cricoid cartilage (the ring-shaped one below it). Three additional pairs of smaller cartilages complete the structure.
Where the Epiglottis Sits in the Larynx
The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped flap of cartilage that sits at the very top of the larynx, positioned behind the base of the tongue. Its stem attaches to the inside of the thyroid cartilage, roughly halfway between the Adam’s apple and the lower edge of that cartilage, connected by a ligament called the thyroepiglottic ligament. A second ligament connects the upper surface of the epiglottis to the hyoid bone, the small horseshoe-shaped bone in the middle of your throat. These two anchor points hold the epiglottis in place while still allowing it to move freely at its top end.
Unlike the thyroid and cricoid cartilages, which are made of rigid hyaline cartilage, the epiglottis is made of elastic cartilage. That flexibility is essential to its job. It needs to bend backward quickly during swallowing and spring back into its upright position immediately afterward.
What the Epiglottis Does
The epiglottis acts as a trapdoor over the airway opening. When you breathe, it stands upright, leaving the larynx open so air flows freely to your lungs. When you swallow, the free end flips backward to seal off the top of the larynx and prevent food or liquid from entering your airway.
This flipping action involves a coordinated push-and-pull mechanism. As you swallow, your larynx and hyoid bone shift upward and forward. That movement presses the base of your tongue against the epiglottis, pushing it backward. At the same time, the muscles and ligaments anchoring the epiglottis pull on it as they react to the pressure of incoming food. The combined forces snap the epiglottis into its protective position over the airway. Once the food passes safely into the esophagus, the epiglottis springs back upright.
Sensory nerve fibers from the vagus nerve supply the epiglottis, running through a branch called the superior laryngeal nerve. These fibers help detect the presence of food or liquid near the airway, triggering the protective swallowing reflex.
The Epiglottis in Infants vs. Adults
In infants and young children, the epiglottis looks and behaves differently. It has an omega shape (like the Greek letter Ω) rather than the broad leaf shape seen in adults, and it tends to be narrower. It is also floppier because the elastic cartilage hasn’t fully developed yet. This matters in medical settings: if a young child needs a breathing tube placed, a straight blade works better for lifting the epiglottis out of the way, since a curved blade can’t easily scoop up such a soft, floppy structure. As a child grows, the epiglottis stiffens and broadens into its adult form.
When the Epiglottis Becomes Inflamed
Because the epiglottis guards the airway entrance, swelling in this area can become dangerous quickly. Epiglottitis is an infection or inflammation of the epiglottis that causes it to swell, potentially blocking airflow to the lungs. Historically, the most common cause in children was a bacterium called Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), but widespread vaccination has made that far less common. In adults, other bacteria, including strep and staph species, and some viruses can still trigger it.
Symptoms differ slightly by age. Children with epiglottitis typically develop a fever, sore throat, drooling, and a high-pitched breathing sound called stridor. They often lean forward or sit bolt upright instinctively, because that position keeps the swollen epiglottis from completely blocking the airway. Adults tend to present with a sore throat, fever, a muffled or hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing, and sometimes stridor. In both groups, epiglottitis can progress from mild throat pain to serious breathing difficulty within hours, making it a medical emergency.