Q. Why is it dangerous to talk while eating?
If a person talks when eating, food may be inhaled into the lungs. Generally after food is swallowed, it passes into pharynx and then into oesophagus. Food is prevented from entering the larynx (passageway to the lungs) by the epiglottis, a spade shaped cartilage flap which covers the pharynx. If food does enter larynx, a cough reflex is generally initiated, although food may lodge in the larynx, causing a blockage of the airway.