The Physiology of Chewing and Swallowing

Which factors in saliva destroy bacteria by chelating iron necessary for bacterial growth?

What is the main control pathway for salivary secretion?

What initiates hunger pangs or mild pain in the pit of the stomach?

What factors can initiate enterogastric inhibitory reflexes in the duodenum?

What type of wave in the stomach wall is initiated by the gut wall and provides powerful peristaltic action potential?

Which enzyme breaks down and converts polysaccharides to disaccharides and monosaccharides in the mouth?

Which cranial nerve innervates the chewing muscles?

What determines the type of food that a person preferentially seeks?

What is the principal determinant of the amount of food a person ingests?

What process involves the voluntary taking of food into the digestive tract through the oral cavity?

Which muscle is involved in the buccal phase of swallowing?

What is the primary role of chewing in digestion?

What is the daily range of saliva secretion in milliliters?

Which gland secretes primary secretion containing ptyalin or mucin in a solution of ions?

What controls the peristaltic movement of the esophagus?

Physiology of Chewing and Swallowing

Chewing process involves muscles such as Masseter, Temporalis, Lateral Pterygoid, and Medial Pterygoid, controlled by brain stem nuclei and taste centers in the brain
Chewing reflex is initiated by food entering the mouth, leading to a series of muscle contractions and relaxations
Chewing is important for digestion, especially for fruits and raw vegetables, as it increases the surface area for digestive enzymes to act upon
Swallowing, or deglutition, involves three phases: buccal, pharyngeal, and esophageal
The buccal phase is voluntary, moving the food bolus to the oropharynx using the tongue and involving the epiglottis and glottis
The pharyngeal phase is involuntary and involves stimulation of receptors in the oropharynx, leading to the closure of the mouth, nasopharynx, raising of the larynx, and relaxation of the upper esophageal sphincter
The esophageal stage involves the closure of the upper esophageal sphincter, opening of the gastroesophageal sphincter, and involuntary peristaltic movement of the esophagus
The esophagus is controlled by both skeletal and smooth muscles, with peristalsis being controlled by medullary centers
Saliva, produced by glands such as the parotid, submandibular, sublingual, and buccal glands, plays various roles such as moistening food, beginning digestion, adjusting salt appetite, and helping to wash away bacteria and food
Saliva contains serous and mucous secretions, with daily secretion ranging between 800 and 1500 milliliters
Saliva contains potassium and bicarbonate ions, with the submandibular gland secreting primary secretion containing ptyalin or mucin in a solution of ions
The composition of saliva and its functions make it essential for the process of digestion, acting as a lubricant and aiding in the breakdown of food.

Test your knowledge of the physiology of chewing and swallowing with this quiz. Explore the muscles involved in chewing, the phases of swallowing, the role of saliva in digestion, and more. See how much you know about the intricate processes that allow us to consume and digest food.