<P> Should food or liquid enter the windpipe due to the epiglottis failing to close properly, the gag reflex is induced to protect the respiratory system . The glossopharyngeal nerve sends fibers to the upper epiglottis that contribute to the afferent limb of the gag reflex . (The gag reflex is variable in people from a limited to a hypersensitive response .) The superior laryngeal branch of the vagus nerve sends fibers to the lower epiglottis that contribute to the efferent limb of the cough reflex . This initiates an attempt to try to dislodge the food or liquid from the windpipe . </P> <P> In some languages, the epiglottis is used to produce epiglottal consonant speech sounds, though this sound - type is rather rare . </P> <P> Inflammation of the epiglottis is known as epiglottitis . Epiglottitis is mainly caused by Haemophilus influenzae . A person with epiglottitis may have a fever, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and difficulty breathing . For this reason, acute epiglottitis is considered a medical emergency, because of the risk of obstruction of the pharynx . Epiglottitis is often managed with antibiotics, racemic epinephrine (a sympathomimetic bronchodilator that is delivered by aerosol), and may require tracheal intubation or a tracheostomy if breathing is difficult . Behind the root of the tongue is an epiglottic vallecula which is an important anatomical landmark in intubation . </P> <P> The incidence of epiglottitis has decreased significantly in countries where vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae is administered . </P>

Inflammation of the structure covering the entrance to the larynx