Epiglottis

[Sarah]

A cartilaginous lidlike appendage which closes the glottiswhile food or drink is passing while food or drink is passing throughthe pharynx.

[Sarah]

n. a small flap or folding covering the entrance to the espophagus that opens to allow food to pass through before it reaches the stomach

[Sarah]

one of the other definitions for epiglottis was very very very wrong. it's actually the flap covering the tube going down to your lungs. It opens so that air can get down, but closes so food doesn't get down into your lungs.

[Sarah]

Word frequently used in Countdown