EPIGLOTTIS. 479 



brane and muscle. At a small distance above these ligaments 

 are two others, which also pass from the arytenoid to the thyroid 

 cartilages. They are not so tendinous aud distinct as -the 

 first mentioned, and cannot be drawn so tense by the 

 muscles of the arytenoid cartilages. They are also situated 

 at a greater distance from each other, and thus form a large 

 aperture. 



On the external side of the upper extremity of each of the 

 arytenoid cartilages, and nearly in contact with it, is a small 

 cartilaginous body, not so large as a grain of wheat, and 

 nearly oval in form. These are connected firmly to the aryte- 

 noid cartilages, and are called their Appendices.* Being in the 

 margin of the aperture of the larynx, they have an effect upon 

 its form. 



The arytenoid cartilages are the posterior parts of the larynx. 

 The Epiglottis, which has already been mentioned is the 

 anterior. When this cartilage is divested of its membrane, 

 it is oval in its upper extremity, and rather angular below, 

 terminating in a long narrow process, which is like the stalk of 

 a leaf. 



It is firmly attached to the internal surface of the angular 

 part of the thyroid by this lower process ; and, being placed in 

 a perpendicular position, one of its broad surfaces is anterior 

 towards the tongue, and the other posterior towards the opening 

 of the windpipe. 



It is attached to the os hyoides by dense cellular texture or 

 ligament, and to the tongue by those plaits of the membrane of 

 the mouth which have been already described. 



It is elastic, but more flexible than the other cartilages ; being 

 somewhat different in its structure. Its surface is perforated by 

 the orifices of many mucous ducts. 



There is a small space between the lower part of this carti- 

 lage, and the upper part of the thyroid and the ligamentous 

 membrane passing from it to the os hyoides. In this is a sub- 

 stance, which appears to consist of glandular and of adipose 



* They are also called Cornicula Laryngis, Tubercles of Santorini. p. 



