WHAT IS THE EPIGLOTTIS'S FUNCTION?
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Mexico Dude
ANSWERS: 2
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"The epiglottis is the flap of cartilage lying behind the tongue and in front of the entrance to the larynx (voice box). At rest, the epiglottis is upright and allows air to pass through the larynx and into the rest of the respiratory system. During swallowing, it folds back to cover the entrance to the larynx, preventing food and drink from entering the windpipe" More here: http://www.innerbody.com/image_digeov/dige02-new2.html
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"The epiglottis is a lid-like flap of elastic cartilage tissue covered with a mucous membrane, attached to the root of the tongue. It projects obliquely upwards behind the tongue and the hyoid bone." "The epiglottis guards the entrance of the glottis, the opening between the vocal folds. It is normally pointed upward, but during swallowing, elevation of the hyoid bone draws the larynx upward; as a result, the epiglottis folds down to a more horizontal position. In this manner it prevents food from going into the trachea and instead directs it to the esophagus, which is more posterior. The epiglottis is one of nine cartilaginous structures that make up the larynx (voice box). (There are 3 single laryngeal cartilages: thyroid, epiglottis, cricoid and also 3 paired laryngeal cartilages: arytenoid, cuneiform and corniculate)." Source and further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiglottis
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