During swallowing, a flap of tissue, the ________, automatically closes off the larynx so food and water cannot enter the lower airway.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The flap of tissue that automatically closes off the larynx during swallowing is the epiglottis. A is incorrect because the glottis is the opening between the vocal cords in the larynx, which allows air to enter the trachea. C is incorrect because paranasal sinuses are air-filled cavities within the bones of the skull, and D, hilus, is a specific anatomical term that refers to the indentation on an organ where nerves and blood vessels enter and exit.

During Swallowing, a Flap of Tissue, the ________, Automatically Closes