The shared throat crossing.

How does food cross a shared air passage?

Setting up the mechanism…

Fit the specimen and set conditions before running.

How does food cross a shared air passage?

The soft palate seals the upper route, while elevation and closure protect the larynx. Only then does the upper esophageal sphincter admit the bolus.

seal → protect airway → admit → propel

What this model simplifies

Slowed pharyngeal swallow. Soft palate, laryngeal elevation/closure and upper sphincter cooperate; epiglottis alone is not sufficient.

Carry food into the esophagus while protecting the airway.

Carry food into the esophagus while protecting the airway.

How does food cross a shared air passage?

Loading the experiment…

Understand by doing.

Figuvo is a place to look inside everyday things, build a connection, and discover the idea behind them.

177 interactive experiments. Each has a working model and a challenge to test what you found.

Original demonstrations by The Bugged Dev. The teaching models and interactions here are new implementations.

New teaching models inspired by public builds shared around Anatomy.

How does food cross a shared air passage?

Setting up the mechanism…

Fit the specimen and set conditions before running.

The soft palate seals the upper route, while elevation and closure protect the larynx. Only then does the upper esophageal sphincter admit the bolus.

seal → protect airway → admit → propel

What this model simplifies

Slowed pharyngeal swallow. Soft palate, laryngeal elevation/closure and upper sphincter cooperate; epiglottis alone is not sufficient.

Carry food into the esophagus while protecting the airway.

Carry food into the esophagus while protecting the airway.