Swallowing Anatomy & Physiology Study Guide

The study of swallowing mechanics using X-rays to visualize the bolus movement from the mouth to the esophagus.

A flexible endoscope inserted through the nose to visualize the pharynx and larynx during swallowing.

A visual assessment of swallowing function that provides real-time feedback.

The amount of time it takes the bolus to travel from the mouth to the stomach.

The ability to coordinate breathing and swallowing, ensuring airway protection during the swallow.

The involuntary muscle contractions that propel the bolus through the pharynx and esophagus towards the stomach.

The process of chewing and manipulating food in the mouth.

The ability to retain the bolus in the mouth and prevent spillage.

Swallowing without any food or liquid entering the airway, ensuring safe passage.

Swallowing without leaving any food or liquid residue in the mouth or pharynx, enabling efficient intake and digestion.

Food or liquid enters the airway ABOVE the vocal folds, potentially causing coughing or choking, but without getting into the lungs.

Food or liquid enters the airway AT or BELOW the vocal folds, potentially leading to aspiration pneumonia if the material reaches the lungs.

The brainstem is a critical part of the brain responsible for coordinating and executing the intricate movements involved in swallowing.

A series of coordinated muscle actions that involve the elevation and anterior movement of the hyoid and larynx, along with the closure of the larynx at four levels, and the temporary cessation of breathing.

During swallowing, the respiratory system briefly stops to ensure the airway is protected and prevent food or liquid from entering the lungs. This pause in breathing ensures the smooth and safe passage of the bolus.

Respiratory abnormalities, like weakened respiratory muscles, can impact swallowing by affecting the timing and coordination of the swallow, leading to potential aspiration.

This technique involves using specific utensils, dishes, and cups or syringes to assist individuals with feeding. It's often used for people with upper extremity deficits who struggle with self-feeding, or who aspirate thin liquids.

This involves altering a person's body or head position to change the shape of the pharynx and how the bolus moves through it. This can help reduce aspiration risk and improve how food travels through the mouth and throat.

This position uses gravity to help the food move down from the mouth into the throat, decreasing the speed of the bolus. It's particularly helpful for people with incomplete throat muscle contraction.

This position uses gravity to help move food from the mouth to the throat, making it easier to clear the mouth and propel the bolus. However, it can reduce airway protection, so is not suitable for everyone.

This position is used when one side of the throat doesn't contract properly, causing food to linger on one side. It slows down the bolus movement and helps direct it towards the stronger side.

This involves bringing the chin towards the chest to close off the airway for better protection during swallowing. It can help improve the movement of food through the mouth by tightening the throat muscles.

These are devices designed to replace or enhance oral or pharyngeal structures, especially when there's a difficulty with closing the soft palate or when there's a cleft palate or oral cancer. They can help to improve speech and swallowing.

These techniques aim to increase a person's awareness of their oral sensations and improve the timing and coordination of the swallow. They are often used for people with various conditions that affect swallowing.

A swallowing exercise where the tongue is placed between the teeth and held while swallowing; used for reduced contraction of the posterior pharyngeal wall (PPW) and base of tongue resection.

Strengthens suprahyoid muscles, improves hyoid and laryngeal movement, and enhances the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening.

An exercise that increases the magnitude of the UES opening by strengthening suprahyoid muscles, improving hyoid and laryngeal movement.

Helps improve UES opening, hyoid movement, and jaw opening, which aids in chewing.

An exercise where you glide your voice up to your highest pitch and then forcefully produce the vowel /i/ in your highest pitch. It strengthens the muscles involved in phonation (voice).

The ability of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) to open, allowing food to pass into the esophagus.

The upward movement of the hyoid bone and larynx during swallowing.

The contraction of muscles in the pharynx, which pushes the food bolus down towards the esophagus.

The ability of patients to understand and use health information provided to them.

Understanding how cultural beliefs and values influence patients' health behaviors and preferences.

The muscle that closes the lips, playing a crucial role in keeping food within the mouth during swallowing.

The muscle that compresses the cheeks, helping to move food toward the back of the mouth.

The ability to coordinate breathing and swallowing to ensure safe passage of the food bolus and prevent aspiration.

Tongue muscle that elevates and closes the mandible. This action is crucial for chewing (mastication) as it helps to grind food against the molars.

This muscle pulls the tongue upward and backward (retracts). This movement is important for moving the bolus (food) towards the back of the mouth.

A muscle that elevates the tongue (raises it up) and lowers the soft palate. This action helps to move the bolus towards the back of the mouth.

This muscle is responsible for tongue protrusion (sticking out the tongue). It plays a role in initiating swallowing and moving food around the mouth.

This muscle can retract the tongue tip into the oral cavity, helping to move the bolus towards the back of the mouth. It also depresses the tongue when contracted. All of these functions play a crucial role in moving food around the mouth and preparing it for swallowing.