What protection do you have against food going down the wrong pipe?
The epiglottis is a flap that acts like a "door" and seals off
your airway while you are swallowing food, and then opens to allow
you to breathe when you are not swallowing food. When you are
eating, make sure that you do not talk, as this interferes with the
function of the epiglottis and can cause food to enter your
airway.