That's the epiglottis. It blocks either the trachea or esophagus, depending on whether breathing or eating is happening.
The entrance to the larynx is guarded by the epiglottis. This flap of cartilage covers the trachea during swallowing to prevent food and liquid from entering the airway.
The epiglottis.
The cartilaginous structure at the base of the tongue is known as the epiglottis. It functions to cover the entrance to the trachea during swallowing, preventing food and liquid from entering the airway and directing them towards the esophagus instead. This helps protect the respiratory system from aspiration.
The epiglottis controls the opening to the trachea. It closes the larynx during swallowing so food will not enter the windpipe.
The epiglottis controls the opening to the trachea. It closes the larynx during swallowing so food will not enter the windpipe.
The epiglottis is attached to the thyroid cartilage at the base of the tongue in the throat. It acts as a flap to cover the entrance to the trachea during swallowing to prevent food or liquid from entering the airway.
The epiglottis moves downards to block the trachea during swallowing.
The epiglottis is located in the throat, specifically behind the base of the tongue and above the entrance to the larynx or voice box. It is a flap-like structure made of cartilage that helps prevent food and drink from entering the airway when swallowing.
Actually, the pharynx is not a piece of cartilage, but a muscular tube that connects the nose and mouth to the esophagus and trachea. It plays a key role in swallowing by helping to direct food and liquids to the esophagus while preventing them from entering the trachea. The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage that covers the entrance to the trachea during swallowing to prevent food or liquids from entering the airway.
epiglottis
The small flap of tissue above the trachea is called the epiglottis. It acts as a lid to cover the entrance to the trachea during swallowing to prevent food and liquids from entering the airway.
The leaf-shaped structure that covers the airway while swallowing is called the epiglottis. It acts as a lid to prevent food and liquid from entering the trachea during swallowing, directing them instead to the esophagus.