Which structure is responsible for closing the airway during swallowing?

The epiglottis is the structure responsible for closing the airway during swallowing. It acts as a flap that covers the larynx, or voice box, when a person swallows, preventing food or liquid from entering the trachea, which leads to the lungs. This mechanism is crucial for protecting the airway and ensuring that swallowed substances go down the esophagus instead.

While the larynx plays a role in vocalization and is part of the airway, it does not actively close during swallowing; instead, the epiglottis serves this important protective function. The esophagus is the tube that carries food to the stomach after it has been swallowed and does not participate in airway protection. Similarly, the trachea is the windpipe that conducts air to the lungs but is not involved in closing off the airway during swallowing. Understanding the function of the epiglottis in coordinating speech and swallowing illustrates its critical role in both respiratory and digestive safety.