CLINICAL MEDICINE

MEDICINE

RESPIRATORY MEDICINE

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
If your epiglottis were to suddenly stop working, what activity could be life threatening?
A
Breathing
B
Walking
C
Coughing
D
Eating
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Swelling of the epiglottis can completely block the airway. This can lead to breathing or respiratory failure. In this life-threatening condition, the level of oxygen in the blood drops very low.

Detailed explanation-2: -If the epiglottis is absent in the body then the regulation of food material to esophagus and air into the lungs will get disturbed. Sometimes food will enter into the windpipe and then causes choking. Eventually, the lungs cannot not work properly which can lead to death.

Detailed explanation-3: -Most epiglottitis is caused by bacterial, fungal or viral infection, especially among adults. Common infectious causes are Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and other strep species, and respiratory tract viruses.

Detailed explanation-4: -When a person swallows the epiglottis folds backward to cover the entrance of the larynx so food and liquid do not enter the windpipe and lungs. After swallowing the epiglottis returns to its original upright position.

There is 1 question to complete.