On the use of the epiglottis / by R. Beveridge.

  • Beveridge, R. (Robert)
Date:
[between 1850 and 1859?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the use of the epiglottis / by R. Beveridge. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ON THE USE OF THE EPIGLOTTIS. Reprinted from the “ Edinburgh Medical Journal.” In most anatomical works, the function of the epiglottis as a distinct part of the larynx, is either omitted altogether, or is vaguely put down as in some way connected with deglutition,—the precise modus operandi, however, being left unexplained. The following considerations may probably tend to render more precise our know¬ ledge of this point. The superior opening of the larynx is in direction oblique, commencing a little behind the root of the tongue, and sloping downwards and backwards. It is triangular in form,*—widest above and in front, and gradually narrowing to a point at its lowest and most posterior part. In the latter situation it corresponds to, and is in fact formed by, the summits of the two arytenoid cartilages; the fore part is formed by the base (or widest part) of the epiglottis, which separates it from the tongue ; while laterally it is bounded by two folds of mucous membrane which extend from the side of the base of the epiglottis to the summit of each arytenoid cartilage, and are usually termed the aryteno-epiglottic folds. These last form the greater part (fully three-fourths) of the margin of the opening, and it seems clear that if the whole margin had been similarly formed there would have been nothing to prevent these folds falling together in the same manner as do the walls and folds of the alimentary canal when empty. It is true that outside them on either hand are the great horns of the hyoid bone and the upper border of the thyroid cartilage, but a slight glance at the parts is sufficient to show that these are too far off and too loosely connected
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