THE LARYNX. 527 







inferior surface, which is also smooth, but convex, constitu- 

 ting the base, and articulating with the cricoid ; and an 

 upper extremity, or apex, which is surmounted by a small 

 movable body, called the appendix, or corniculum laryngis, 

 also styled tuberculum Santorini. 



The epiglottis (e *v{wt tj, upon the tongue.) This cartilage 

 is situated at the base of the tongue, and is a fibro-cartila- 

 ginous structure. It occupies nearly a vertical position at 

 the back part of the mouth. Its form is oval FlG - 161 

 and flattened, having its edges curved. It is of a 

 yellowish color, pliable and elastic. Its surfaces 

 are anterior and posterior, or lingual and laryn- 

 geal. Both surfaces, as well as the edges, are 

 covered by mucous membrane, which, in front, 

 is loose, and constitutes a fold called the fre. 

 num epiglottidis. On the laryngeal surface this 

 membrane is strongly attached, and presents 

 the orifices of mucous ducts, and when removed 

 shows the cartilage itself to be perforated. It 

 differs from the other cartilages in never being found ossi- 

 fied. It is so nicely adapted to the superior opening of the 

 larynx, as completely to close the glottis in deglutition, and 

 thereby guard against the introduction of foreign bodies, 

 and consequently against suffocation in the act of respiration. 



Ligaments. The ligaments, connecting the thyroid car- 

 tilage with the os-hyoides, are three in number a middle, 

 the ihyro-liyoid membrane, which occupies the whole space, 

 extending from the superior edge of the thyroid cartilage, 

 to the base and cornua of the os-hyoides ; and two lateral, 

 the thyro-hyoid, extending from the superior cornua of the 

 thyroid cartilage, to the extremities of the cornua of the 

 os-hyoides. The middle ligament is a strong fibrous expan- 

 sion, giving passage to the superior laryngeal nerve and 

 artery. The lateral consist of round cords sometimes con- 

 taining cartilaginous or osseous grains. 



FIG. 161 represents a side view of the Epiglottis Cartilage, a Front of 

 lingual surface. & Posterior or pharyngeal surface, c Upper margin, d 

 Lower margin or pedicle, e Lateral portion. 



