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The structure that protects the superior opening of the larynx during swallowing is the epiglottis. This leaf-shaped flap of cartilage folds down over the laryngeal inlet when swallowing, preventing food and liquids from entering the airway. This action helps ensure that the contents being swallowed go down the esophagus instead of the trachea, thus safeguarding the respiratory tract from aspiration.

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What is the flap called that protects the opening of the larynx is called?

The flap that protects the opening of the larynx is called the epiglottis. It is a flexible cartilage structure that prevents food and liquids from entering the airway during swallowing by covering the glottis.


What is the elastic cartilage that shields the opening to the widpeip during swallowing?

The elastic cartilage that shields the opening to the windpipe during swallowing is known as the epiglottis. It acts as a flap that covers the larynx, preventing food and liquid from entering the trachea and directing them toward the esophagus. This mechanism helps protect the airway, ensuring that only air passes into the lungs while swallowing. The epiglottis is flexible due to its elastic cartilage composition, allowing it to move easily during the swallowing process.


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.


The reason ther are c shaped rings to support the trachea?

It protects the anterior and lateral surfaces of the trachea. Also large masses of food can pass through the esophagus during swallowing.


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.

Related Questions

What opening protects the trachea?

The opening in the tracheal respiratory system is the brronchi.


What is the flap called that protects the opening of the larynx is called?

The flap that protects the opening of the larynx is called the epiglottis. It is a flexible cartilage structure that prevents food and liquids from entering the airway during swallowing by covering the glottis.


What is the tiny flap that covers the trachea during swallowing?

The epiglottis protects the trachea from food.


What prevents food from entering the lungs during the process of swallowing?

The epiglottis, a flap of tissue in the throat, prevents food from entering the lungs during swallowing by covering the opening to the windpipe.


What structure controls the opening to the trachea?

The epiglottis controls the opening to the trachea. It closes the larynx during swallowing so food will not enter the windpipe.


What structure control the opening to the trachea?

The epiglottis controls the opening to the trachea. It closes the larynx during swallowing so food will not enter the windpipe.


What is the elastic cartilage that shields the opening to the widpeip during swallowing?

The elastic cartilage that shields the opening to the windpipe during swallowing is known as the epiglottis. It acts as a flap that covers the larynx, preventing food and liquid from entering the trachea and directing them toward the esophagus. This mechanism helps protect the airway, ensuring that only air passes into the lungs while swallowing. The epiglottis is flexible due to its elastic cartilage composition, allowing it to move easily during the swallowing process.


What is the name of the structure that prevents fluid from entering the nasopharynx during swallowing?

The uvula flips up during swallowing to prevent fluid from entering the nasopharynx.


What is the opening between the vocal cord called?

Glottis


What is the opening into the top of the larynx called?

The opening into the top of the larynx is called the epiglottis. It is a flap of elastic cartilage that covers the larynx during swallowing to prevent food and liquids from entering the respiratory tract.


The function of the epiglottis is to?

The epiglottis is what guards the entrance of the opening in the vocal folds. During the action of swallowing, it allows food to pass and go down the esophagus.


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.