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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.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoA cartilagenous flap in the larrynx called the epiglottis
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoYour epiglottis. Located on the esophagus, the epiglottis is a tiny flap of muscle that prevents the bolus(or food) from entering your lungs or windpipe. :) Ladybug51496
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoUvula helps to keep food away from the nasal cavity, while epiglottis helps to keep food away from the trachea.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoYes, if the epiglottis isn't closed and food or fluids are present they can go down the windpipe. Mom was right about not talking with our mouths full.
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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.
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.
Location of the epiglottis?
It is a cartillagenous flap within the larynx that effectively acts as a two way valve. It is the structurethat stops food going down the trachea and stops air going down the oesophagus.the epiglottis is a flap of skin that blocks the trachea.the tissue that covers the windpipe when you swallow
What is the real name for the windpipe?
trachea food pipe is esophagus
What are the functions of the epiglottis?
The epiglottis is a little flap of skin that closes over your trachea (the airway) when you swallow food or water to prevent it from "going down the wrong tube."
What doest the epiglottis do?
It is a flap of skin that stops food from going down the windpipe
How is food prevented from going down the windpipe?
Food is prevented from going down the winpipe because the epiclottis.
Why is the epiglotti an important part of the respiratory system?
prevents food from food going down your windpipe
This flap of tissue helps prevent food from going down your windpipe?
Epiglottis
Why is the epiglottis important to feeding?
The epiglottis is very important because it stops the food from going into your trachea (windpipe). It guides the food to bypass the trachea and straight to your oesophagus.
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 covers the windpipe while you are eating so that food does not go down the windpipe?
Epiglottis...
Where in your body is your epiglottis?
It's the part of your body that flops down over the windpipe when you swallow to keep food from going into your lungs.
What flap of tissue prevents food going into the windpipe?
pharynx
What keeps food from going down the windpipe?
The food and beverages that go down the food pipe are prevented from entering the wind pipe with the help of epiglottis. When we swallow, the flap of cartilage shuts down automatically, causing it to reach the digestive system.
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 helps to separate the digestive system from the respiratory system?
The epiglottis a flap of skin that stops food from entering your windpipe.
