What covers the mucosa containing taste buds and keeps food out of lower respiratory passages?

The epiglottis is the flap of cartilage that covers the mucosa containing taste buds and keeps food out of the lower respiratory passages.

Here's how it works:

* Taste buds: Located on the tongue, soft palate, and epiglottis, these structures detect taste sensations.

* Mucosa: The moist lining that covers these areas, including the taste buds, is called mucosa.

* Epiglottis: This flexible, leaf-shaped piece of cartilage sits at the top of the larynx (voice box). During swallowing, the epiglottis flips down to cover the opening of the larynx, preventing food and liquids from entering the trachea (windpipe) and lungs.

When you swallow, the epiglottis acts as a protective barrier, ensuring that food goes down your esophagus and into your stomach, not into your lungs.