the - is a small flap of tissue that closes the windpipe when you swallow food to keep you from chocking
The statement you provided is not entirely accurate. The small flap of tissue you are referring to is called the epiglottis, not the hyphen or dash. The epiglottis is a small cartilaginous structure located at the base of the tongue, which prevents food and liquids from entering the windpipe (trachea) when swallowing. Its main function is to direct the food and liquids towards the esophagus, which leads to the stomach. Its role is to protect the airway rather than prevent choking.
The structure you are referring to is called the epiglottis. It is a small, leaf-shaped flap of cartilage located at the base of the tongue, just above the larynx (voice box). The epiglottis is responsible for preventing food or liquid from entering the windpipe, or trachea, during swallowing.
Here is a step-by-step explanation of how the epiglottis works:
Step 1: When you swallow, the tongue pushes a ball of food or liquid to the back of the mouth.
Step 2: At the same time, the larynx rises to meet the back of the throat, and the epiglottis folds backward to cover the opening of the windpipe.
Step 3: The covered windpipe ensures that food or liquid is directed down the esophagus, a tube that leads to the stomach, instead of going into the airway.
Step 4: Once the food or liquid has passed, the epiglottis returns to its normal position, allowing normal breathing to resume.
By closing off the windpipe during swallowing, the epiglottis helps prevent choking by ensuring that food and liquid go down the correct passage.
The small flap of tissue you are referring to is called the epiglottis. Its main function is to prevent food and liquid from entering the windpipe, or trachea, during swallowing. When you swallow, the epiglottis closes over the opening of the trachea, directing the food or liquid down the esophagus and into the stomach.
If you would like to learn more about the epiglottis, you can search for this term on reliable sources such as medical websites, scientific articles, or anatomy textbooks. These sources will provide you with in-depth information about the structure, function, and importance of the epiglottis in the human body.