The epiglottis normally keeps this from happening.
* How The Epiglottis Works:
When you swallow, a small flap - called the epiglottis - briefly covers the top of the windpipe (or trachea) so that food goes the right way, into the digestive system, and not the wrong way, into the respiratory tract.
The flap can't stay down all the time, or you would not be able to breathe! Sometimes a little food or liquid does get into the windpipe - perhaps if you ingest it very quickly - and that's when you cough to get it out again.
When you swallow, the epiglottis should automatically cover the windpipe, so swallowing is a good way to suppress a cough if you are somewhere where you don't want to make a noise...
The body automatically reacts and covers the trachea with the epiglotis.
The structure known as epiglottis folds to cover the trachea (breathing tube) from the esophagus (eating tube) and prevents any water or food from entering the lungs.
a little flap of tissue called the epiglotis prevents food and liquid from entering the lungs
trachea
epiglottis
Aspiration is the medical term meaning food or liquid entering the lungs.
It stops food & drink going into the lungs
the eustachian tube
epiglottis closed up to protect food from entering the lungs
the immigrants brang food, instruments and technology
the eustachian tube
The epiglottis a flap of skin that stops food from entering your windpipe.
The blood leaving the lungs is loaded with oxygen, while blood entering the lungs is about to get oxygen from the respiratory system.
Prevents food and water entering the lungs
Food can be prevented from entering the larynx if a person has issues with eating, or if their esophagus is giving them problems. Large food pieces can cause this as well.
The epiglottis covers the opening to the trachea when swallowing - thereby preventing food/drink entering the trachea and lungs.