What flap of cartilage covers the trachea during swallowing?

The flap of cartilage that covers the trachea during swallowing is the epiglottis.

The epiglottis is a leaf-shaped structure made of elastic cartilage and covered by mucous membrane. It sits at the entrance to the larynx, above the glottis. During normal breathing, it remains upright so air can pass into the airway.

When swallowing, the larynx rises and the epiglottis folds backward over the tracheal opening. This helps direct food and liquid into the esophagus instead of the windpipe. The movement also involves the tongue, hyoid bone, and muscles around the larynx; it is not simply a hinged lid operated by the epiglottis alone.

A common mix-up is confusing the epiglottis with the uvula. The uvula hangs from the soft palate and helps close the nasal passage during swallowing, while the epiglottis protects the airway. The name comes from Greek roots meaning “above the glottis.”