Question

Two friends are eating together at a dining table. One of them suddenly starts coughing while swallowing some food. This coughing would have been due to improper movement of:

• A. Neck
• B. Epiglottis
• C. Tongue
• D. Diaphragm

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Epiglottis

The correct option is B.

Explanation of correct option:

1. Epiglottis is a flap-like structure that covers the opening of the trachea when a person swallows food.
2. This epiglottis covers the opening of the oesophagus and trachea.
3. Normally epiglottis is closed while swallowing food, but sometimes it remains open while eating.
4. In that case, the food enters the respiratory tract or trachea and leads to coughing.
5. This reflex action is used to remove the food to clear the pathway.

Explanation of incorrect options:

Option A:

1. Neck movement while eating does not cause any problems like coughing.

Option C:

1. Movement of the tongue is necessary for the proper chewing, mixing of food with saliva, taste, and swallowing of food thus, it does not cause any coughing.

Option D:

1. Diaphragm movement occurs while a person is breathing, hence it does not cause coughing while eating.

Final answer: Coughing while eating or swallowing occurs due to improper movement of the epiglottis.