Functions-Swallowing Flashcards
What are the two functions of swallowing?
Protection - preventing food entering the lower airway.
Feeding- To transport food from the lower pharynx and oesophagus to the stomach
How can swallowing be dangerous?
Because the airway crosses the food way
What are the 3 stages of swallowing?
- propulsion of food- pushing food forwards towards foodway.
- Preventing reflux
- Protecting the airway
How does the body prevent reflux?
- Upper oesophageal sphincter- preventing food going from the oesophagus to the pharynx
- Lower oesophageal sphincter- preventing food going from the stomach to the oesophagus.
- Elevating the soft palate.
- Top of the tongue contacting the posterior pharyngeal wall.
- Side of the tongue contacting the pillars of the fauces .
What is the dental relevance of reflux?
it is an intrinsic cause of erosion
What is this?
Attrition -tooth wear due to contact between occluding teeth
E.G. bruxism.
What is this?
Abrasion- tooth wear due to a non dental object e.g a toothbrush.
Alot of the time it is combined with erosion.
The acid weakens the outer mineralised tissue making it more suceptible to damage.
What is this?
Abfraction-A wedge shaped notch caused by flexure and material fatigue at the cervical region.
It is due to high stress occlusal forces.
This commonly occurs in premoalars.
How is the airway protected when you swallow?
- Adduction of the vocal flaps.
- Closing of the laryngeal inlet by the epiglottis and aryepiglotic muscles.
- Stopping breathing. (apnoea)
- Upward and forward movement of the larynx
What is dysphasia?
A language disorder due to damage of parts of the brain.
What is dysphagia?
Difficulty swallowing.
What is odynophagia?
Pain when swallowing
What is Dysarthria?
Difficulty speaking due to problems with the muscles involved in speech.
What are some oral causes of language and speech defects.
- Mallocclusion
- Cleft lip and palate
- Loss of teeth & dentures.
- Tori
- tongue related
- Dry mouth.
What is tongue thrust?
When you push your tongue forward when you are swallowing.