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## SWALLOWING MECHANISM - Three valves in the mechanism of alimentation ### 1. Soft palate* - With the posterior movement of the tongue, the soft palate is elevated, thereby closing the passage between the oropharynx and nasopharynx. - This partitioning prevents pressure generated in the orophary...

## SWALLOWING MECHANISM - Three valves in the mechanism of alimentation ### 1. Soft palate* - With the posterior movement of the tongue, the soft palate is elevated, thereby closing the passage between the oropharynx and nasopharynx. - This partitioning prevents pressure generated in the oropharynx from being dissipated through the nose. - When the soft palate is paralyzed due to a cerebrovascular accident, food is commonly regurgitated into the nasopharynx. ### 2. Epiglottis - During swallowing, the hyoid bone moves upward and anteriorly, elevating the larynx and opening the retrolaryngeal space, bringing the epiglottis under the tongue. - The backward tilt of the epiglottis covers the opening of the larynx to prevent aspiration. ### 3. Cricopharyngeus - Failure of the valves or pumps leads to abnormalities in swallowing- that is, difficulty in food propulsion from the mouth to stomach- or regurgitation of gastric contents into the esophagus or pharynx. - Sequence of events during oropharyngeal phase of swallowing: 1. Elevation of tongue 2. Posterior movement of tongue 3. Elevation of soft palate 4. Elevation of hyoid 5. Elevation of larynx 6. Tilting of epiglottis **Phase 1 & 2:** prevents backflow of food in the mouth **Phase 3 (soft palate):** prevents regurgitation of food superiorly **Phase 4, 5, 6:** prevents food from going to respiratory tract **When you sneeze while eating pasta, then pasta comes out of your nostrils. What valve of esophagus is responsible for this?** **Answer: soft palate**