glottis

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the opening between the vocal folds in the larynx, whose changing width helps control breathing and voice

   The glottis closes briefly when a speaker produces a glottal stop.

Borrowed through New Latin glottis from Greek glottis, 'mouth of the windpipe,' based on glotta or glossa, 'tongue.' The anatomical term names the narrow opening that shapes airflow between the vocal folds, not the entire larynx.

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