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Is there an evolutionary advantage to mammals’ windpipes not being more enclosed? (zerobytes.monster)

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The original post: /r/askscience by /u/KingCats22 on 2024-10-24 10:27:33.

When watching nature documentaries, you more often than not see the predator kill their prey by going for their windpipe. I’m wondering why mammal’s windpipes aren’t more enclosed, either behind some cartilage, muscle, or even something as extreme as a ribcage-like structure.

Is there an advantage to them being as exposed as they are, because it does seem like a fairly obviously evolutionary disadvantage to have such a vital organ so exposed?

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