A man eating in a restaurant chokes on a piece of food. He grabs his neck, unable to speak. Why is it significant that the man cannot talk? Where has the food lodged?

What will be an ideal response?


The inability to speak indicates that the man is choking on a piece of food that suddenly closed off air at or below the glottis, the opening to the larynx. Sound is created as air moves past the vocal ligaments of the larynx.

Anatomy & Physiology

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A child hanging upside down from a tree takes a bite from a candy bar. They manage to chew the candy and swallow it successfully. What prevents the bolus from entering the upper part of the nasopharynx?

A. The most anterior section of the nasopharynx is only connected to the oropharynx by small ducts, so the bolus cannot enter it. B. During the swallowing reflex, the tongue presses against the soft palate and forces the nasal region of the nasopharynx shut. C. Muscles immediately pull the pharynx upward toward the bolus in the swallowing reflex and suck it from the back of the tongue. D. The posterior part of the tongue and the anterior section of the pharynx also undergo peristalsis, so the food is immediately pushed downward.

Anatomy & Physiology

What is the superior portion of the sternum called?

A.   Xiphoid process B.   Manubrium C.   Body D.   Gladiolus E.   Coccyx

Anatomy & Physiology

Why is brown fat important?:

a. It is the newborn's primary source of insulation. b. It can be broken down to generate heat for thermoregulation. c. It can be broken down for energy between feedings. d. It can be converted to white fat.

Anatomy & Physiology

A population of lymphocytes whose members are all alike and are capable of

responding to the same specific antigen is called a(n) _______. Fill in the blank(s) with correct word

Anatomy & Physiology