2.1k views
1 vote
What is the sinus located between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis called?

A) Maxillary sinus
B) Ethmoid sinus
C) Lingual tonsil
D) Vallecula

User Kaey
by
8.2k points

1 Answer

7 votes

Final answer:

The sinus located between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis is called the vallecula. It is a space vital for the swallowing process and is distinct from the paranasal sinuses.

Step-by-step explanation:

What is the sinus located between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis called? The correct answer is D) Vallecula. The vallecula is an anatomical feature in the oropharynx, which is bordered superiorly by the nasopharynx and anteriorly by the oral cavity. It is the space that exists between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis. This area is not one of the paranasal sinuses, which include the maxillary, ethmoid, frontal, and sphenoid sinuses. Instead, the vallecula is a depression or cleft located at the base of the tongue that is important in the swallowing process to ensure that food is directed towards the esophagus rather than into the breathing passages.

User Jschildgen
by
8.3k points