Epiglottic cartilage

In veterinary medicine, there is the concept of “cartilaginous blockade,” which is performed in order to reduce the size of wheezing and help cats stop the aspiration process. Blockade of the epiglottic cartilage in cats aims to make breathing easier for the pet and fix its jaw. When a cat stretches its head forward, there is a large glottis above the larynx, also called the epiglottis. The epiglottis is covered with cartilage tissue, which allows it to move through the Adam's apple.

The epiglottic ring can weaken and stretch, causing aspiration sickness in a cat when it burps, vomit enters the trachea and the animal suffocates. Cartilage blocks help keep the cat in a standing position, fix the jaw and limit breathing