The epiglottis ensures that food does not get into the respiratory system so it closes to prevent more food from entering in.
Sometimes, as a person swallows food, the food may accidentally get into the trachea. When this occurs, the epiglottis comes in handy to ensure that food does not enter into the respiratory system.
This occurs because the epiglottis closes the trachea tightly to ensure that no more food enters into the trachea.
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