The epiglottis is a small, movable “lid” just above the larynx that prevents food and drink from entering your windpipe. It is composed mostly of connective tissue specifically elastic cartilage.

I can better understand how the epiglottis works as a flap to keep food from entering the windpipe during swallowing thanks to this image, which clearly depicts its location and structure. It's amazing to observe how a tiny portion of the body can protect the respiratory system and guarantee that food is safely passed down the esophagus.

The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped structure made of elastic cartilage that acts as a movable flap to cover the larynx during swallowing, preventing food from entering the airway. Histologically, its surface facing the tongue is lined by non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, while the side facing the larynx is covered by pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium, with seromucous glands and lymphoid tissue beneath to protect and lubricate the mucosa.