The glottis — the opening between the vocal cords (rima glottidis) — opens on the floor of the pharyngeal cavity (specifically the laryngopharynx). The glottis is the inlet to the larynx and trachea. During swallowing, the epiglottis covers the glottis to prevent food from entering the airway. It is anatomically distinct from the trachea (the windpipe below the larynx) and the diaphragm (the respiratory muscle).