Eli5: how come when we get food down the wrong pipe we don’t die of a lung infection?

Question

How come when food goes in the lungs and we choke, the food doesn’t eventually rot in the lungs? How do we get it out or does it decompose

In: Biology

Answer 1

When food accidentally enters the trachea (the “wrong pipe”), the body’s cough reflex acts to expel it quickly. Additionally, the mucociliary escalator, a mechanism in the respiratory tract, moves mucus and trapped particles out of the lungs. The immune system also plays a role by identifying and eliminating any remaining particles or pathogens, thereby preventing lung infections without the need for medical intervention.