Epiglottic vallecula
The epiglottic vallecula is a depression (vallecula) just behind the root of the tongue between the folds in the throat. These depressions serve as "spit traps"; saliva is temporarily held in the valleculae to prevent initiation of the swallowing reflex.
| Epiglottic vallecula | |
|---|---|
 (Vallecula labeled at center right.) | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | vallecula epiglottica |
| TA | A05.3.01.020 |
| FMA | 55037 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The vallecula is an important reference landmark used during intubation of the trachea. The procedure requires the blade-tip of a Macintosh-style laryngoscope to be placed as far as possible into the vallecula in order to facilitate directly visualizing the glottis.
Additional Images
Epiglottic vallecula
References
- This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1075 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
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