What is an Epiglottis?
An epiglottis is an anatomical structure which is designed to prevent animals from inhaling foods or liquids while they eat and swallow. You could think of the epiglottis as a lid or flap which covers the trachea, creating a seal which does not permit anything other than air to enter the trachea. This anatomical structure is very important, as without an epiglottis, an organism would run the risk of choking and coughing every time it tried to eat. To use an analogy which may be familiar to you, the epiglottis is a lot like a toilet seat attached to the root of the tongue. During normal activities, the epiglottis is left in the up position, allowing air to flow freely into the larynx and trachea. However, when an organism starts eating, the epiglottis snaps shut, covering the opening into the trachea. When the organism is done swallowing, the epiglottis pops back up again to allow the organism to breathe. The function of the epiglottis is made possible by the fact that it is made from e
