Final answer:
The soft palate is the part of the mouth that can obstruct the airway during swallowing by closing off the nasopharynx and working together with other structures to prevent food from entering the respiratory tract.
Step-by-step explanation:
The palate of the mouth that can obstruct the airway during swallowing is the soft palate. The soft palate and uvula rise reflexively to close off the nasopharynx, while the larynx is pulled upwards and the epiglottis folds downwards, covering the glottis. This action effectively blocks access to the trachea and bronchi, preventing food from going down the wrong pathway. Conversely, the hard palate, made up of the maxillary and palatine bones, does not play a role in obstructing the airway as it is a rigid structure forming the anterior region of the palate.