Final answer:
The statement is true; the glottis closes during swallowing to ensure that food enters the esophagus and not the trachea, thanks to the action of the epiglottis which covers the glottis and protects the airways from aspirated material, preventing choking.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or False: The glottis closes off the larynx so the bolus of food enters the esophagus and not the trachea. This statement is true. During the complex process of swallowing, several actions occur to prevent food from entering the airways. The epiglottis, a flap of cartilage, folds down to cover the glottis, which is the opening to the larynx. This action ensures that a bolus of food enters the esophagus rather than the trachea.
The function of the larynx includes the protection of the trachea from aspirated food. When swallowing, the backward motion of the tongue forces the epiglottis to close over the entrance to the larynx. If food or other material enters the larynx, this triggers a cough reflex, generally expelling the material back into the throat.
In simpler terms, the closing mechanism involving the epiglottis and the glottis ensures that food and beverages make their way to the stomach via the esophagus and do not end up in the respiratory tract. Such an efficient system helps prevent choking and allows for safe swallowing.