Swallowing, sometimes called
deglutition in scientific contexts, is the process in the human or animal body that makes something pass from the
mouth, to the
pharynx, and into the
esophagus, while shutting the
epiglottis. Swallowing is an important part of
eating and
drinking. If the process fails and the material (such as food, drink, or medicine) goes through the
trachea, then
choking or
pulmonary aspiration can occur. In the human body the automatic temporary closing of the epiglottis is controlled by the swallowing
reflex.