supraglottitis

An infectious inflammation and swelling of the laryngeal tissue above the glottis, especially of the epiglottis, which becomes red and spherical leading to upper airway obstruction.

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su·pra·glot·ti·tis -(.)glä-'tīt-əs n epiglottitis that is not confined to the epiglottis but that extends to other structures (as the pharynx, uvula, base of the tongue, aryepiglottic folds, or false vocal cords)

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su·pra·glot·ti·tis (soo″prə-glŏ-tiґtis) inflammation of the supraglottis, most often as a result of infection with Haemophilus influenzae type B, but sometimes due to other bacterial, viral, or fungal infection or to thermal injury or other trauma; it is characterized by drooling, dysphagia, and swelling of the epiglottis that can progress to life-threatening upper airway obstruction. Called also epiglottitis.