Final answer:
The player lost their incisors, which affects the biting and cutting of food, the first step in food ingestion. Swallowed food is prevented from entering the airways by the epiglottis, which covers the trachea during swallowing.
Step-by-step explanation:
During a hockey game, if a player is hit in the mouth and loses their eight most anterior teeth, the player has lost all of their incisors. These teeth are primarily used for biting and cutting food, which is the first step in the ingestion process. The loss of incisors could make this process more difficult, affecting the player’s ability to properly bite into food. As a result, they may need to modify their diet or how they consume their food until a dental solution is found.
Swallowing is a complex process that involves several anatomical structures. The most important structure in preventing swallowed food from entering the airways is the epiglottis. During swallowing, the epiglottis folds down to cover the entrance to the trachea, ensuring that food is directed towards the esophagus and stomach instead.