Biomechanics of Swallowing

Question 1

Name the four phases of swallowing.

Answer 1

1. Oral Prep
2. Oral
3. Pharyngeal
4. Esophageal

Question 2

The duration in each of these phases depend on ____.

Answer 2

1. Type of bolus
2. Volume of bolus
3. Voluntary control exerted on swallow

Question 3

Briefly summarize the oral preparatory phase of the swallow.

Answer 3

Oral Prep: bolus manipulation and mastication

Question 4

Briefly summarize the oral phase of the swallow.

Answer 4

Oral: Anterior to Posterior movement of bolus until trigger of pharyngeal swallow

Question 5

Briefly summarize the pharyngeal phase of the swallow.

Answer 5

Pharyngeal: Swallow is triggered, bolus movement through pharynx

Question 6

Briefly summarize the esophageal phase of the swallow.

Answer 6

Esophageal: peristalsis carries bolus through cervical and thoracic esophagus into the stomach

Question 7

What is required for a normal oral stage swallow?

Answer 7

1. Intact labial musculature
2. Intact lingual movement
3. Intact buccal muscle
4. Normal palatal muscles
5. Ability to breath comfortably through the nose

Question 8

Name 10 events of a swallow.

Answer 8

1. Retrieve the bolus
2. Velum down and forward
3. Form a cohesive bolus by cupping the tongue–tipper position
4. Anterior to posterior pressure against the alveolar ridge to move the bolus posteriorly
5. Trigger pharyngeal swallow
6. Velum moves up and back to seal the nasal cavity
7. Elevation and forward movement of the hyoid and larynx
8. Closure of airway by squeezing true, false vocal folds, and epiglottic retroflexion
9. Opening of the UES
10. Tongue ramping
11. Posterior tongue contact the posterior wall of the pharynx, and the superior, medial, interior constrictor muscles
12. Closure of the UES and larynx return to resting position

Question 9

Name the phases of pharyngeal swallow.

Answer 9

Elevation & retraction of velum, VP (sphinceric) closure
Elevation & anterior movt of hyoid & larynx
Laryngeal closure by the 3 sphincters
Opening of the CP sphincter
Tongue base ramping and retraction with posterior pharyngeal wall
Top to bottom contraction of pharyngeal constrictors

Question 10

VP closure and _____ occur simultaneously in normals.

Answer 10

Hyolaryngeal elevation

Question 11

UES opening and _____ occur simultaneously in normals

Answer 11

Airway closure

Question 12

_____ and VP closure occur simultaneously in normals.

Answer 12

Hyolaryngeal upward and forward movement

Question 13

_____ and airway closure occur simultaneously in normals.

Answer 13

UES opening

Question 14

The elevation of the larynx contributes to the ____.

Answer 14

Closure of the airway entrance

Question 15

The forward movement of the larynx contributes to the _____.

Answer 15

Opening of the UES.