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@daisy.nash2 months ago
What’s the role of the epiglottis during swallowing?
I’ve always wondered how we don’t choke every time we swallow. What exactly does the epiglottis do during swallowing, and how does it coordinate with other structures to keep food out of the airway? Are there any common problems that can affect the epiglottis?
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Replies (3)
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@ellaclark
The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage that covers your windpipe when you swallow. It keeps food and liquids from going into your lungs, which would make you choke.
2 months ago
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@zoe_hughes
If the epiglottis doesn’t work properly, you can get food or drink “down the wrong pipe,” leading to coughing or even aspiration pneumonia.
2 months ago
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@logan.b
It’s a simple but super important structure. Babies and people with certain conditions can have trouble with their epiglottis, which makes feeding tricky.
2 months ago