Question

Which of the following statements correctly describes the function of the corresponding physiologic structure?

A. The trachea connects the throat and the stomach, encouraging food to follow this path through contractions.
B. The esophagus is the cylindrical portion of the respiratory tract that joins the larynx with the lungs.
C. the diaphragm is a muscle that controls the height of the thoracic cavity, decreasing the height on contraction, and increasing the height on relaxation causing expiration.
D. The epiglottis covers the trachea during swallowing, preventing food from entering the airway.

Answer 1

The correct function among the choices is that the epiglottis covers the trachea during swallowing to prevent food from entering the respiratory tract, aiding in the correct routing of food into the esophagus.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement that describes the function of the corresponding physiologic structure is D. The epiglottis covers the trachea during swallowing, preventing food from entering the airway. When swallowing, a reflex action occurs where the epiglottis folds over the glottis to ensure that food is directed into the esophagus and does not enter the respiratory tract. This is an essential mechanism to prevent aspiration of food particles into the lungs, which would lead to coughing or potentially more severe respiratory issues.