Question

the two openings of the pharynx one leading to trachea and the other leading to oesophagus lie vety close to each other yet food we swallow normally doesnt enter into our trachea. why?

Answer 1

The epiglottis which is a fleshy tongue-like muscle near the opening of the trachea closes and opens the tracheal opening and closes it when your brain detects food. As you know that the food is passing through, the only ways of the food entering the trachea are when you eats quickly, forcing the epiglottis to open and allow air to go in before the food passes, or when you speak while eating, due to the necessity of air to vibrate the vocal chords, which asks for the opening of the trachea.

Answer 2

there is a flap like epiglottis attached at the entrance of lyranx. it has a leaf like structure. it normally points upwards when we breath. when we swallow food epiglottis folds down to a horizontal position so preventing it so food is directed to oesophagus