Why can't we swallow hair? Give scientific explanation, please...?

Question

Why can't we swallow hair? Give scientific explanation, please...?

Answer 1

We CAN swallow hair.

Answer 2

We can. The reason people don't is because it's a voluntary reaction. Hair has had a bad rap, carrying parasites and lice with our ancestors. With all the hair removing products on the market, we're obviously a species who are not very hair savvy.

Answer 3

This is due to a number of factors including:

1  The shape of the hairs

2  The flexibility of the hairs

3   The fact that much of the hairs become entrapped within saliva

All of these factors make it difficult for the tongue and oral structures to direct the hairs into the esophagus.