glottis

noun

glot·tis ˈglä-təs

plural glottises or glottides ˈglä-tə-ˌdēz

: the elongated space between the vocal cords

also : the structures that surround this space compare epiglottis

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web There is typically a sound made, as the air is expelled through the (initially closed) glottis; however, most people can override this reflex and sneeze without making any noise from the vocal cords.

Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 28 Oct. 2022 Your glottis, which is the space between your vocal cords, then closes, preventing any further air from entering.

Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 23 July 2022 The bulge seen during these big, leisurely yawns, is called glottis exposure.

Miriam Fauzia, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2021 These big, open passages inside the mouth cavity, namely the glottis and the Eustachian tubes, allow sound to pass through the animal and reach the eardrums from the inside as well as the more traditional external route.

Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2021 But when the glottis is closed, the air can’t move out, so tremendous pressure builds up in the air passages.

Howard Lewine, sun-sentinel.com, 2 Oct. 2019 Finally, the glottis swings open and the air rushes out.

Howard Lewine, sun-sentinel.com, 2 Oct. 2019 Next, the glottis snaps shut, putting a lid over the trachea, or windpipe.

Howard Lewine, sun-sentinel.com, 2 Oct. 2019 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'glottis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek glōttid-, glōttís "upper end of the trachea at the root of the tongue," from glôtta, Attic variant of glôssa "tongue" + -id-, -is, noun suffix — more at gloss entry 3

First Known Use

1578, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of glottis was in 1578

See more words from the same year