What might happen if the epiglottis remains open while the food is being swallowed?

Question

A.
The food would remain in the mouth.

B.
The food would enter the esophagus.

C.
The food would be completely digested in the mouth.

D.
The food would go into the trachea and cause coughing.

Answer 1

If the epiglottis remains open while food is being swallowed, the correct outcome would be:

D. The food would go into the trachea and cause coughing.

The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that covers the trachea during swallowing to prevent food and liquids from entering the airway. If it does not close properly, food may enter the trachea, leading to a choking hazard and a reflexive cough to try to clear the airway.