answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Epiglotis, a cartilaginous flap that lies above the voice box. when you start to swallow, the epiglotis covers the entrance to the voice box, the initial part of the respiratory tract.

You can see the epiglotis in the young babies when their mouth is wide open, because their voice box is higher. The higher placed voice box allows them to breast (or bottle) feed and breath at the same time. Milk flows around, left and right, the voice box into the esophagus, instead of over the top of it if it was placed lower. As the baby grows the voice box descends, making it no longer possible to breath and eat at the same time.

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 11y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 12y ago

The epiglottis is the flap that prevents food and drink from entering the respiratory system. It is located right about the larynx (voice box) and pushes food and drink back into the digestive tracts. This cartilaginous flap simply falls limp when one begins to breath again.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 8y ago

The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped, flap-like structure made of elastic cartilage that covers the trachea like a lid. The epiglottis directs food to the stomach (through the esophagus) and air to the lungs (through the trachea).

When you swallow, your epiglottis closes off your larynx leaving the only open passage the esophagus. This is why we cannot breathe and swallow at the same time.

If people do not have good dental hygiene they leave small particles of food which they leave in their mouths. These get mixed with air and can be breathed into the lungs. Many asthmatics swallow using tongue thrust. This too leaves food in the throat. This also causes food to be breathed into the lungs. Thus the epiglottis is not perfect but only works when food is actually sent down in a deliberate swallow.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 9y ago

The epiglottis is the structure that prevents food from entering the trachea. It is made of connective tissue. This video gives you a visual of this mechanism.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 14y ago

Epiglottis.

Your welcome.

M.S

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 16y ago

The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that sits at the base of the tongue that keeps food from going into the trachea, or windpipe, during swallowing.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 9y ago

The epiglottis prevents food from going down your windpipe, e.g. the main bronchi.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 12y ago

No, the thyroid cartilage forms the "Adam's apple." The epiglottis prevents food from entering the larynx during swallowing.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 9y ago

The epiglottis is the strtcture that prevents food from entering the trachea. It is made of connective tissue.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

βˆ™ 9y ago

It is called as epiglottis. Epiglottis covers the trachea during the process of swallowing.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What structure in the airway prevents food and liquid from entering the lungs?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

The flap that keeps food out of the lungs?

uvula


What is the name of the leaf shaped structure that covers the airway while swallowing?

The leaf-shaped structure that covers the airway while swallowing is called the epiglottis. It acts as a lid to prevent food and liquid from entering the trachea during swallowing, directing them instead to the esophagus.


What entrance to the larynx is guarded by what structure?

The entrance to the larynx is guarded by the epiglottis. This flap of cartilage covers the trachea during swallowing to prevent food and liquid from entering the airway.


The structure that prevents material from entering the windpipe?

The epiglottis is the flap of tissue that prevents food and liquid from entering the windpipe (trachea) when you swallow. It acts like a lid over the windpipe, directing food and liquid down the esophagus to the stomach.


What types of fluids and materials does the epiglottis control?

The epiglottis controls the flow of air and food or liquid into the respiratory and digestive pathways, respectively. It prevents food and liquids from entering the airway when swallowing by covering the trachea during swallowing.


What is the cartilaginous structure at the base of a tongue that helps to prevent food and liquid from entering the trachea during swallowing?

The cartilaginous structure at the base of the tongue is known as the epiglottis. It functions to cover the entrance to the trachea during swallowing, preventing food and liquid from entering the airway and directing them towards the esophagus instead. This helps protect the respiratory system from aspiration.


What is the epiglottis attached to which structure?

The epiglottis is attached to the thyroid cartilage at the base of the tongue in the throat. It acts as a flap to cover the entrance to the trachea during swallowing to prevent food or liquid from entering the airway.


Which part of nasopharynx is raised like a trap door to stop food entering the upper passage way?

The soft palate is the part of the nasopharynx that acts like a trap door to prevent food from entering the upper airway. It moves up to close off the nasal passages during swallowing and prevents food or liquid from entering the nasal cavity.


What part of the GI tract prevents a person from choking?

The epiglottis is a small flap of tissue at the base of the tongue that prevents food and liquid from entering the windpipe (trachea) during swallowing. It covers the opening of the trachea to direct food and liquid into the esophagus, helping to prevent choking.


What flap of tissue is at the bottom of the larynx?

The flap of tissue at the bottom of the larynx is the epiglottis. Its main function is to cover the opening of the trachea during swallowing to prevent food or liquid from entering the airway and lungs.


What part does the epiglottis play when drowning?

The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that closes off the windpipe (trachea) during swallowing to prevent food or liquid from entering the airway. However, during drowning, the epiglottis may malfunction or be overwhelmed by water, allowing water to enter the airway and lungs, leading to suffocation.


What is the apparatus that closes during swallowing to prevent food from entering the trachea?

The epiglottis is the flap of cartilage in the throat that closes during swallowing to cover the opening of the trachea, preventing food or liquid from entering the airway. This helps direct food to the esophagus for safe passage to the stomach.