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What covers the windpipe while you are eating so that food does not go down the windpipe?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Epiglottis...
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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What is epiglottis and what is its purpose?
It's a "flap" that covers either the trachea or esophagus. It prevents you from choking. When you eat, it covers the trachea so food will go down the esophagus and not the windpipe (trachea). If food gets down your trachea, you will choke.
What is the cartilaginous structure that make up the larynx?
The larynx is round in structure. It covers the trachea during swallowing so the food does not go down the windpipe.
Trouble swelling and windpipe closing up while lying down?
i dont know really the exact answer , but it might mt anxiety .
Does lying down on your stomach while eating make you fat?
Posture while eating would not make someone fat. It depends more on what you are eating.
What is the different between windpipe and gullet?
The windpipe is the pipe in which air and gasses travel down (i.e oxygen) the gullet is the pipe which our food and drink travel down
What will most likely happen when food is in the trachea?
There is a skin flap which is called the epiglottis. The epiglottis covers the trachea upon reflexes.
What does the epiglottis do?
So food or water will not enter into your windpipe and breathing system (lungs). The food and water then avoid going down the windpipe because of this flap - the epiglottis and go into the digestive track - down the esophagus.
What stops food going down the windpipe?
Yes and no.There is a small "flap" at the back of our throats called an epiglottis that is responsible for sealing off our windpipe whenever we swallow, forcing food to travel down the esophagus instead. Under optimal circumstances it is not possible for food to enter the windpipe.Every now and then, this process fails to work properly. Things such as talking or laughing while eating or eating too fast will increase your risk of this occurring. Minor instances of this will result in discomfort and coughing and isn't serious. This is what happens when we experience the feeling commonly referred to as food "going down the wrong way". However, in more serious cases this will result in choking and an inability to cough, thus rendering the victim incapable of expelling the food from their windpipe. Without intervention, this is fatal.In short, food is capable of entering the windpipe and, in some cases, getting lodged there, but it is not able to actually "go down" the wind pipe and into the bronchial tubes or lungs -- that would require a liquid.
Your epiglottis folds down to block the entrance to your windpipe when you do what?
The epiglottis blocks the entrance to your windpipe when you swallow. This action prevents food from entering your trachea instead of your esophagus.
How is food prevented from going down the windpipe?
Food is prevented from going down the winpipe because the epiclottis.
Where does the food go after it leaves your mouth?
While eating, food goes down your esophagus into your stomach, while air goes down your trachea and into your lungs.
Why not talk while eating food?
When you talk with food in your mouth, it means you don't have manners.Edit: Also, bits of food can fly out.The short answer is : the epiglottis is a movable flap of tissue attached behind/under the tongue which blocks the entrance to the trachea (windpipe) when food is swallowed, thus protecting the lungs by forcing the food to pass over the trachea and instead go down the esophagus (food- & drink-pipe) into the stomach. If you talk while eating, and you happen to be a toddler, your Mum will tell you off. If you talk while eating, and you are older than that, people may think you are a bit of a pig.......
