The epiglottis's a flap of elastic cartilage tissue covered with a mucus membrane, attached to the root of the tongue. It projects obliquely upwards behind the tongue and the hyoid bone. The term's, like tonsils, often incorrectly used to refer to the uvula. Anatomy and function The epiglottis guards the entrance of the glottis, the opening between the vocal folds. It's normally pointed upward during breathing with its underside functioning as part of the pharynx, but during swallowing, elevatio… (More on Epiglottis)