Drive - swallowing and salivary glands Flashcards
What initiates swallowing?
When pressure receptors in the walls of the pharynx are stimulated by food and drink (forced into the rear of the mouth by the tongue)
Explain the process that occurs during the voluntary stage of swallowing:
Food is compressed against the roof of the mouth. then is pushed towards the oropharynx by the action of the tongue.
Buccinator and suprahyoid muscles manipulate the food
What is the role of the buccinator and supra hyoid muscles? (3)
Manipulate food during chewing.
Elevate the hyoid bone
Flatten the floor of the mouth
What causes the nasopharynx to be closed off?
The soft palate (via the action of the muscles of the palate) and the pharynx is shortened and widened by elevation of the hyoid bone
What causes the food to pass down to the stomach?
Sequential contraction of the constrictor muscles followed by the return of the hyoid bone and pharynx (to normal). Upper Oesophageal sphincter relaxes, Peristatic waves move the food towards the relaxed lower oesophageal sphincter into the stomach.
What is the gag reflex?
The reflex elevation of the pharynx (often followed by vomiting) due to irritation of the oropharynx
Which nerve(s) cause/allow the gag reflex?
sensory = glossopharyngeal effector = vagus nerve (causes the constriction of the muscles)
What are the main functions of saliva (3)?
Lubrication for mastication
Maintaining oral pH
Digestion via salivary amylase
What is oral pH maintained between?
pH = 6.2 - 7.4
What is the daily secretion of saliva?
800 - 1500 ml in adults
What do serous secretions contain?
alpha amylase for starch digestion
What do mucous secretion contain?
mucins for lubrication of mucosal surfaces
What type of secretion does the parotid gland produce?
serous
What is the parotid gland innervated by?
Sympathetic = mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve Parasympathetic = glossopharyngeal nerve
What is the submandibular gland supplied by?
Sympathetic = Lingual nerve (branched from the facial nerve) Parasympathetic = chorda tympani branch of the facial nerve.
What type of secretion does the submandibular branch produce?
Both mucous and serous
What type of secretion does the sublingual gland produce?
Mainly mucous but some serous
What factor affect the composition and amount of saliva produced? (9)
Flow rate
Circadian rhythm
Type and size of gland
Duration and type of stimulus
Diet
Drugs
Age
Gender
Time of day
How does mucosa aid in the defence of the oral cavity?
Forms a physical barrier
How do the salivary glands aid in the defence of the oral cavity?
Washes away food particles which bacteria or viruses could use as metabolic support
How do the palatine tonsils aid in the defence of the oral cavity?
Immune surveillance system
How do the surrounding lymphatic system aid in the defence of the oral cavity?
Contain a broad range of functional immune cells
When unstimulated (e.g. no food) what is the main source of saliva?
Submandibular gland
When stimulated what is the main source of saliva?
Parotid gland