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Once you push food to the back of your through to swallow it, the esophagus pushes it down to your stomach. As food goes from your mouth to your esophagus, it passes over top of the epiglottis, which shuts like a lid to keep stuff from falling down your trachea (windpipe).

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Q: What does the esophagus and epiglottis do?
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Related questions

What is the gatekeeper of the esophagus called?

The Epiglottis


What is the leaf-like cartilage after the esophagus?

epiglottis


The flap of tissue that closes when you swallow to protect you from choking?

It is called the Epiglottis. If you talk while eating, your epiglottis and your esophagus are open, so instead of going down the esophagus, it goes down the epiglottis. Have you ever heard someone say 'It went down the wrong tube' when you choke? This is what they mean.


What is the small flap found at the top of the esophagus?

Epiglottis


What acts as a lid over the enterence to the esophagus?

The epiglottis


Does the epiglottis prevent food from entering the trachea?

The epiglottis closes the trachea when eating and drinking. After you swallow, the epiglottis re-opens the trachea and closes the esophagus.


What acts like the lid over the entrance to the esophagus?

The epiglottis.


Where do your esophagus and windpipe meet?

They meet at the epiglottis. The epiglottis is the flap of muscle that closes over your windpipe when you swallow food.


What body part starts with e?

ear, eye, esophagus, epiglottis


What flap diverts food and water from the respiratory structure into the esophagus?

Epiglottis


Food masses are kept from entering the respiratory system by the what?

The esophagus


What is the function of the epiglottis in the human body Thank you?

The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that selectively blocks the trachea and the esophagus as needed. It blocks the esophagus, allowing flow through the trachea when breathing. It blocks the trachea, allowing flow through the esophagus when swallowing. This prevents choking and inhalation of food.