0 a small flat part at the back of the tongue that closes when you swallow to prevent food from entering the tube that goes to the lungs
1 a flat part at the back of the tongue, which closes when you swallow to stop food from entering the tube that air goes down
Chest, diaphragm, the closed epiglottis, and the raised palate all form a supply chamber for the breath.
The entrance to it is covered by the epiglottis, over which the food slides.
The epiglottis is the valve which closes over the upper opening of the larynx.
The windpipe opens downward from the pharynx, but this communication can be shut off by a little plate or lid of cartilage, the epiglottis.
This is accomplished through the soft palate and epiglottis, which are operated somewhat as valves.
In a normal epiglottal stop, the epiglottis need not close against the pharyngeal wall.
The apex of the epiglottis can still be seen (behind an air bubble).
Moreover, the aryepiglottic folds are stretched between the lowered arytenoids and the epiglottis, as a result of tongue advancement.
