Swallowing Process Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of lip closure during the oral preparatory phase of swallowing?

To move food towards the throat
To maintain food within the mouth (correct)
To facilitate the gag reflex
To initiate involuntary swallowing mechanics

During the oral transit phase, what action is performed by the tongue to assist in swallowing?

The tongue creates suction to pull food back
The tongue lifts to block the soft palate
The tongue remains flat to push food forward
The tongue pushes against the hard palate and drops at the back (correct)

Which event marks the transition from the pharyngeal phase to the esophageal phase of swallowing?

UES opens and then closes (correct)
Bolus is chewed into small pieces
The epiglottis flips down
Soft palate begins to lower

What is a key role of the pharyngeal constrictors during the pharyngeal phase?

<p>To push the bolus down into the esophagus (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What initiates the involuntary aspects of the swallowing process?

<p>The posterior tongue touching the pharyngeal wall (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Oral Preparatory Phase

The initial stage of swallowing where food is prepared for swallowing. It involves getting food in the mouth, closing the lips, chewing to form a bolus, and moving the bolus to the middle of the tongue.

Oral Transit Phase

This stage involves moving the bolus from the mouth to the pharynx. The tongue pushes against the hard palate, moves back, and lifts the soft palate to allow the bolus to move backward in the mouth.

Pharyngeal Phase

The pharyngeal phase is where the bolus moves from the pharynx to the esophagus. The soft palate lifts, the tongue touches the back of the pharynx, and the pharyngeal muscles push the bolus down. The upper esophageal sphincter opens to allow the bolus to enter the esophagus.

Pharyngeal (Larynx) Phase

During this phase, the larynx elevates and moves forward, and the epiglottis flips down to prevent food from entering the airway.

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Esophageal Phase

The final stage of swallowing involves the movement of the bolus through the esophagus. The upper esophageal sphincter opens and closes, peristalsis helps move the bolus down, and the lower esophageal sphincter opens and closes to allow the bolus into the stomach.

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Study Notes

Swallowing Process

Swallowing is a complex process with several stages.
The oral preparatory stage involves getting food/liquid into the mouth, closing lips, chewing to form a bolus, and moving the bolus to the middle of the tongue. This stage is voluntary.
In the oral transit stage, the tongue pushes the bolus against the hard palate, then moves it posteriorly, allowing it to fall back into the mouth. The soft palate elevates. This stage is also voluntary.
The pharyngeal stage is both voluntary and involuntary. The soft palate elevates, the tongue's posterior part touches the posterior pharyngeal wall, and pharyngeal constrictors push the bolus down. The upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opens.
The laryngeal stage is part of the pharyngeal stage. The larynx elevates and moves forward. The epiglottis folds down.
The esophageal stage involves the UES closing, and peristalsis moving the bolus down. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens and closes.