Search unanswered questions...

Enter a question here...

What is the epiglottis and what does it do?
[Edit]

Correct Answer

The epiglottis is actually a flap of connective tissue, made of hyaline cartilage, that covers the opening of the trachea in the throat. It blocks off the air passage so that food doesn't go down into the lungs when you swallow and then reopens to allow breathing.

Another Correct Answer

During swallowing, the larynx rises and the epiglottis, which is composed of cartilage, covers its opening which then directs food and fluid into the esophagus and preventing its entry into the trachea which would then lead to the lungs.

The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage at the base of the tongue. It points upward except when solids and liquids pass from the mouth into the esophagus. The epiglottis folds down over the glottis to prevent food from passing into the lungs through the trachea.

Improve Answer Discuss the question "What is the epiglottis and what does it do?" Watch Question

First answer by ID1205640353. Last edit by Natural Val. Contributor trust: 924 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 52 [recommend question]

Research your answer:

Answers.com > Wiki Answers > Categories > Science > Biology > Human Anatomy > What is the epiglottis and what does it do?

Our contributors said this page should be displayed for the questions below. (Where do these come from)
If any of these are not a genuine rephrasing of the question, please help out and edit these alternates.
Epiglottis in frog?  What is epiglottis?  WHATS AN epiglottis?  What does epiglottis?  Is epiglottis a word?  Why is the epiglottis?  What is an epiglottis?  What is the epoglottis?  What is the epiglottis?  Whar is the epiglottis?  What is epiglottis role?  What does an epiglottis?  What does epiglottis do?  Whats the epiglottis do?  Where is your epiglottis?  What do the epiglottis do?  What does your epiglottis?  What does epiglottis mean?  What does an epiglottis do?  What is the epiglottis job?