Hey! When food enters the lungs instead of the esophagus, it affects
breathing and can cause choking and other problems. The structures
inside the mouth and neck each have a distinct role in breathing,
speaking and swallowing. The swallowing mechanism is a complex process
that, when it works properly, moves food to the esophagus for transport
to the stomach. Dozens of muscles and nerves work to move food in the
right direction. A piece of cartilage called the epiglottis plays a key
role in ensuring that food does not enter the windpipe or the lungs. Hope this helps!
