Swallowing

The "epiglottis" is a flap in the throat that prevents food or liquid from going down the wrong way (A). Normally, the flap covers the trachea when you swallow, and the food goes down the esophagus and into the stomach (B). In some cases, the muscles and tissues used in swallowing do not work as they should. Then, the food you eat or liquids you drink could enter the trachea and get into the lungs (C), which can cause problems.