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Like in humans, it functions to prevent entry of food into the trachea during swallowing. [17] The position of the larynx is flat in mice and other rodents, as well as rabbits. [4] For this reason, because the epiglottis is located behind the soft palate in rabbits, they are obligate nose breathers, [18] [19] as are mice and other rodents. [4]
Pulmonary aspiration is the entry of solid or liquid material such as pharyngeal secretions, food, drink, or stomach contents from the oropharynx or gastrointestinal tract, into the trachea and lungs. [1] When pulmonary aspiration occurs during eating and drinking, the aspirated material is often colloquially referred to as "going down the ...
During swallowing, food passes from the mouth through the pharynx into the esophagus. The epiglottis folds down to a more horizontal position to direct the food into the esophagus, and away from the trachea. Once in the esophagus, the bolus travels down to the stomach via rhythmic contraction and relaxation of muscles known as peristalsis. The ...
Swallowing is an important part of eating and drinking. If the process fails and the material (such as food, drink, or medicine) goes through the trachea, then choking or pulmonary aspiration can occur. In the human body the automatic temporary closing of the epiglottis is controlled by the swallowing reflex.
The esophagus carries food through the throat to the stomach. [5] Adenoids and tonsils help prevent infection and are composed of lymph tissue. The larynx contains vocal cords, the epiglottis (preventing food/liquid inhalation), and an area known as the subglottic larynx, in children it is the narrowest section of the upper part of the throat.
(The conducting zone—which also includes the nostrils of the nose, the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles—filters, warms and moistens air and conducts it into the lungs). [1] The human pharynx is conventionally divided into three sections: the nasopharynx , oropharynx , and laryngopharynx .
Basic human airway anatomy. Objects can enter the trachea and lungs via the mouth or nose. Signs and symptoms of foreign body aspiration vary based on the site of obstruction, the size of the foreign body, and the severity of obstruction. [2] 20% of foreign bodies become lodged in the upper airway, while 80% become lodged in a bronchus. [6]
In the lungs, oxygen from the inhaled air is transferred into the blood and circulated throughout the body. Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is transferred from returning blood back into gaseous form in the lungs and exhaled through the lower respiratory tract and then the upper, to complete the process of breathing .