It prevents you to have a choke and lung aspiration and food is directly delivered in the stomach.
The flap-like structure that prevents food from going the wrong way during swallowing is called the epiglottis. It is a thin, leaf-shaped piece of cartilage located at the base of the tongue. During swallowing, the epiglottis folds down over the trachea (windpipe) to ensure that food and liquids are directed into the esophagus and not into the airway. This action helps prevent choking and aspiration.
Several protective mechanisms prevent the aspiration of food into the trachea. These include the epiglottis, which covers the trachea during swallowing, the coordination of muscle contractions in the throat to direct food into the esophagus, and the cough reflex to expel any foreign material that might enter the trachea.
The cuticle prevents water from escaping a plant's leaves.
anterior crusciate
The epiglottis.
A valve
The epiglottis is the structure that prevents the entry of food into the respiratory system. It is made of connective tissue.
The reason that you cannot speak when you swallow is due to a defense mechanism of the body. When swallowing, the epiglottis covers the larynx to prevent aspiration, which also prevents speech.
heart valves
The long mane prevents scraches from fighting.
Cuticle prevents evaporation .