CHAP. XX. Of the muscles of the Epyglottis or the ouer-tongue.
GAlen is of opinion that the motion of the Epyglottis or ouer-tongue is in a man not voluntary but naturall, or at least hee leaueth it doubtfull whether it haue any muscles or no Vesalius, Platerus, Columbus and Laurentius thinke and resolue there are none, yet Platerus maketh question whether they be not * 1.1 found in such men as doe easily vomit. Of the same opinion also is Bauhinus, Aquapendens thinketh the motion of it voluntary & performed by membranous muscles. For my owne part I dare not stickle in so nice a question. In beasts that chew the cud they all acknowledge that it hath muscles, those we will briefly describe for the helpe of young Anatomists who do often in the want of mens bodyes dissect the throttles of Oxen or Sheepe to practise themselues.
There are therefore in beasts 2. paire of muscles belonging to the Epyglottis or ouer∣tong, the first are called Hyoglotti, or the bone-tong, the second the Ewer-tongue muscles. * 1.2
The Hyoglotti or bone-tongue muscles are seated in the backe of the ouer-tong, they arise from the middest of the inner part of the bone Hyois, and are inserted on either side into the Basis of the Epiglottis neare his middle. They raise vp the ouer tongue after it is depressed in the swallowing of meate and drinke, to make free passage for expiration which otherwise would by it be intercepted.
The Ewer-tongue muscles because of the largnesse of the Larinx or throttle are most euident in oxen. They arise fleshy from the vpper part of the Ewer-gristle at his articula∣tion. * 1.3 At their originall they are contiguous or touch one another, and for a great space seeme vnited and mingled, and runne a long course keeping their proportion through the inside of the Shield-gristle, & at length retaining their vnition or coniunction are inserted into the inner Basis of the Epyglottis or ouer-tongue.