Just for perspective: I am a man in my mid-40s and for as long as i can remember i had this question… is it normal that i can shut my nose close just with some muscles?
I always wondered why some people hold their nose shut with their fingers while jumping into a pool or when exposed to some horrible smell… i never had this need. Changing my sons diapers? No problem! Cleaning the latrines while in the army? Just a breeze!
Ehm… yeah… just thought about this…
Blowing out candles is controlling your nasopharynx which every does so food and liquids don’t go up their nose while swallowing. Most everyone can breathe through their mouth instead of their nose.
The OP seems to be describing his nasal passage, not his throat. That seems unusual but I’ve never asked people to know.