The Glottis is ____ When Swallowing and ____ When Speaking

Question

The glottis is ____ when swallowing and ____ when speaking.  
A) closed; open
B) open; closed
C) rigid; relaxed
D) relaxed; rigid
E) vibrating; closed

Accepted Answer

When swallowing, the glottis (the opening between the vocal cords) must close to prevent food or liquid from entering the trachea (windpipe) and lungs. When speaking, the glottis must be open to allow air to flow through the vocal cords, which vibrate to produce sound. So, for swallowing, the glottis is closed, and for speaking, it is open.