A epiglottis is a cartilaginous structure that acts as a valve, preventing food and other foreign bodies from passing into the respiratory system at the time of swallowing. When food or another foreign body enters the respiratory system, we choke. This process ensures that this foreign body is expelled and that the individual can breathe properly.
Choking is considered an emergency, as it can cause a person's air passage to be blocked, causing suffocation and, in some cases, death.
Read more: Human body — is capable of performing diverse functions thanks to the complex structures it has
What is epiglottis?
The epiglottis is a cartilaginous structure that extends from the larynx to the pharynx. It is shaped like a leaf and is attached to the upper edge of the thyroid cartilage. It is important not to confuse epiglottis with glottis. A glottis is the name given to the space between the two vocal folds.
What is the function of the epiglottis?
The epiglottis is a cartilaginous structure that acts as a type of valve. During the act of swallowing food (swallowing), this valve closes and prevents food from traveling towards the respiratory tract. When we are breathing, however, the valve opens, allowing the proper flow of air.
Read more: Nose — cartilaginous structure also very important for our breathing
What is choking?
Choking is nothing more than a manifestation of our body to expel a foreign body from the respiratory tract. When we eat, for example, and the food “goes the wrong way” during the act of swallowing, we choke.
Choking can be quite dangerous, as it cannot always guarantee that the foreign body is expelled from the airways. In these situations, a person can suffocate, become unconscious and even die. It is necessary, therefore, that the person be helped quickly.
When talking about help in case of choking, one of the techniques for doing so is mHeimlich maneuver. To carry it out, it is important that the person providing assistance positions themselves behind the victim and puts their arms around the victim's abdomen.
It is important to keep one of your hands closed over the mouth area of the stomach, and the other hand will compress the first. At the same time, the person must push the pit of the stomach inward and upward. The movement must be repeated until the foreign body is eliminated. See the figure below.
It is important to highlight that pat someone on the back what is choking is a myth. The technique will not help the person to unchoke and may cause the correct help to be delayed, which could put their life at risk.
