TONSILS. EPIGLOTTIS. 475 



has an oval form, its longest diameter extending from above 

 downwards. * Its surface is rather convex, its natural color is 

 a pale red. On its surface are the large orifices of many cells 

 of considerable size, which exist throughout the gland. These 

 cells often communicate with each other, so that a probe can 

 be passed in at one orifice and out at the other. 



Into these cells open many mucous ducts, which discharge 

 in part the mucus of the throat, for the purpose of lubricating 

 the surface, and facilitating the transmission of food. 



In its healthy state, the free surface of the tonsil glands, 

 are a little below the level of the two half arches of each side. 

 But when their cells are distended by inflammation, or effaced 

 by granulations, as in tonsillitis, they sometimes project beyond 

 the half arches so as nearly or quite to meet in the middle 

 line. 



The epiglottis, or fifth cartilage of the larynx, is situated at 

 the root of the tongue, in the middle, between the tonsils. The 

 part which is in sight is partly oval in form, and of a whitish 

 color. Its position, as respects the tongue, is nearly perpen- 

 dicular, and its anterior surface rather convex. 



The mucous membrane continued from the tongue over the 

 epiglottis is so arranged that it forms a plait, which extends 

 from the middle of the root of the tongue along the middle of 

 the anterior surface of the epiglottis, from its base upwards. 



On each side of this plate or fraenum, at the junction of the 

 surfaces of the tongue and of the epiglottis there is often a de- 

 pression, in which small portions of food sometimes remain ; 

 and a small fraenum, similar to that above described, is sometimes 

 seen on the outside of each of these cavities. 



The epiglottis is situated immediately before the opening 

 into the larynx. 



The above described parts can be well ascertained in the 

 living subject, by a person who has a general knowledge of the 

 structure. Thus, looking into the mouth, with the tongue de- 

 pressed, the uvula and soft palate are in full view above, and 

 the epiglottis is very perceptible below ; while the two ridges 



