Definition:
The epiglottis resides in the throat (more precisely, in the larynx), behind the tongue. It is a piece of cartilage that closes over the trachea when a person swallows to prevent choking. In this manner, the function of the epiglottis is to prevent food from entering the lungs. When an individual is not actively swallowing, the epiglottis remains in an upright or "neutral" position.
