Final answer:
To prevent choking while swallowing, the epiglottis covers the airway by folding over the glottis. This process ensures food and liquid are directed to the esophagus instead of the trachea.
Step-by-step explanation:
To bypass the entrance to the lungs, the epiglottis closes the airway so that choking doesn't occur when swallowing. During the process of swallowing, the larynx is pulled upwards and the epiglottis, which is a flap of cartilaginous tissue, folds down to cover the glottis, the opening to the larynx. This action prevents food or liquid from entering the trachea (windpipe) and directs it to the esophagus, the tube that leads to the stomach. This protective mechanism ensures that the respiratory passages are kept clear while swallowing occurs. The pharynx plays a crucial role by guiding food and air to their respective passages, and the epiglottis's movement is involuntary, making it an automatic response during the act of swallowing.
Further down the respiratory system, air travels through the trachea, bronchi, and eventually reaches the alveoli for gas exchange. The respiratory system is designed with these safety and filtration mechanisms to maintain efficient and safe breathing.