The structure that prevents food from entering the trachea during swallowing is the:

 # The structure that prevents food from entering the trachea during swallowing is the:

 A. Soft palate

 B. Glottis

 C. Uvula

 D. Epiglottis

The correct answer is D. Epiglottis.

The epiglottis is a flap of cartilage located at the base of the tongue that prevents food and liquids from entering the trachea during swallowing. When you swallow, the epiglottis folds over the glottis (the opening to the trachea), directing food and liquids into the esophagus.

• A. Soft palate: The soft palate helps close off the nasal cavity during swallowing but does not directly prevent food from entering the trachea.
• B. Glottis: The glottis is the opening to the trachea, not a structure that closes it off; it is covered by the epiglottis during swallowing.
• C. Uvula: The uvula helps with speech and directs food toward the esophagus but does not cover the trachea.