1. A lid-like piece of cartilage that folds over the windpipe during swallowing to prevent food going into the lungs.
2. A flap of cartilage situated at the base of the tongue that covers the opening to the air passages when swallowing, preventing food or liquids from entering the windpipe or trachea.
3. The thin elastic cartilaginous structure located at the root of the tongue that folds over the glottis to prevent food and liquid from entering the trachea during the act of swallowing.