glottis
(ˈglɒtɪs)
[a. mod.L. glōttis, a. Gr. γλωττίς, f. γλῶττα var. of γλῶσσα tongue.]
The opening at the upper part of the trachea, or windpipe, and between the vocal chords, which, by its dilatation and contraction, contributes to the modulation of the voice.
| 1578 Banister Hist. Man iv. 50 Glottis is a long rift placed in the middest of Larinx. 1615 Crooke Body Man 636 The Larynx and the whistle or pipe thereof which we call Glottis. 1692 Ray Creation ii. 105, I believe the Beaver hath the like Epiglottis exactly closing the Larynx or Glottis, and hindring all Influx of Water. 1767 Gooch Treat. Wounds I. 111 When more air passes out through the aperture, than enters them through the glottis, or rimula of the larynx. 1859 Darwin Orig. Spec. xxvii. (1878) 148 The beautiful contrivance by which the glottis is closed. |