What happens when a drink 'goes down the wrong way'?

Question

the actual process.....i know it makes me cough lots!

Answer 1

When that happens, the flap that briefly closes the trachea ("windpipe") didn't quite make the closure happen in time. Since the trachea is in front of the esophagus, the liquid literally went down the wrong way. Your coughing is your body's attempt to get it OUT before it gets to your lungs - NOT a good thing!

Answer 2

First of all, when people say "it went down the wrong pipe" or whatever, that's just an expression, because there's only one way drinks can go down, and that's your esophagus. They are partly right, however- Everyone has a little flappy bit called an epiglottis that kind of sits between your esophagus and your trachea ("windpipe") and covers one or the other, depending which one you're using at the moment. If you try to talk or laugh while you're enjoying a lovely beverage, your epiglottis may momentarily uncover the trachea in an effort to cover the esophagus (for the talking/laughing, etc. to take place) and that will cause your drink to slip into the trachea ever so slightly, just enough to cough all over the place. The coughing is caused by your lungs trying to expel any droplets of moisture, no matter how small, from the respiratory system.

Answer 3

The epiglotis is a small flap that usually makes it impossible to drink/eat and breath at the same time. When you drink it closes off the trachea (tube) that goes to your lungs and so the drink goes down the oesopagus (tube) to the stomach.
Sometimes the epiglotus fails to shut fully (eat or drinking too quickly or laughing can be the cause) and a little fluid goes towards the lungs. Not good! So, your body's reaction, to protect the lungs from intruding solids or liquids, is to cough it out of the trachea and prevent your lungs from being harmed.

Answer 4

Basically the epiglottis doesn't close completely over the glottis and a small amount of food or liquid goes down the trachea. Since the lungs can't handle solids or liquids, the diaphram spasms as your body attempts to dislodge the food or drink from the trachea.

Answer 5

drink or food goes down the trachea instead of esophagus. it makes you cough because ur lungs are trying to take the drink out of there so it can work with only air. just cough hard and stop eating or drinking until ur done coughing.

Answer 6

The esophogus is the tube that leads to the stomach. That is the route food and drink are supposed to take. The 'wrong hole' is the opening of the trachea. The tube that leads to your lungs. In other words, you've practically inhaled your food, and you are coughing and choking because you're trying to get it out of the airpassage.

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000415/2453_f1.jpg

Answer 7

It ISN'T PRETTY.....trust me I've had the experience more than a few times. The coughing is your bodies way of trying to keep from drawning.....it is desperately trying to eliminate whatever it is....(corona)...that shouldn't be in the lungs....cough hard...cough long...and use a tissue to mop up those eyes.....it's a fight for life......and....drink sllllllloooooowleeeee.

Answer 8

Actually, it's impossible. You just choke for a moment. Your food and drink goes down your esophogus. "The wrong pipe" would be your trachea, and it cannnnot go down your trachea because there's a little flap that covers it up, so nothing but air and go down it.

Answer 9

Go with Istaffa for UK spellings.
I have just had a cup of tea '' Go down the wrong way''
It made me cry, had the rest of the office in fits of laughter though.

Answer 10

You teach the drink the correct technique, of course.