What Would a Person Born Without an Epiglottis Not Be

Question

What would a person born without an epiglottis not be able to do?
A) digest fats
B) digest proteins
C) absorb the products of digestion
D) swallow food without a high risk of choking

Accepted Answer

The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that covers the trachea during swallowing, preventing food from entering the airway. Without an epiglottis, a person would have a high risk of choking while swallowing food, so they would not be able to swallow food without a high risk of choking. Digesting fats, proteins, and absorbing the products of digestion are not directly related to the epiglottis.