oral, pharyngeal and oesophageal physiology and dysphagia (lecture) Flashcards
What are the 3 normal phases of swallowing ?
- oral
- pharyngeal
- oesophageal
What type of muscle is used at each phase of swallowing ?
- oral = striated
- pharyngeal = striated
- oesophageal = striated/smooth
Where does the neural control stem from in each phase of swallowing ?
- oral = cortex/medulla (CN 5, 7, 12)
- pharyngeal = medulla (CN 9, 10, 11)
- oesophageal = medulla/enteric NS (CN V3, 9, 10, 12)
Say whether each phase of swallowing is under voluntary control or not …
- oral = voluntary control
- pharyngeal = some voluntary control
- oesophageal = no voluntary control
What are the main components of the oral phase of swallowing that prepare the bolus ?
- chewing = prepares solid food (teeth + mass water muscles)
- salivation = lubricates bolus and starts digestion (enzymes + water)
- movement of bolus = delivers prepared bolus to oropharynx (tongue)
Which muscular structure protects against laryngo-oesophageal reflux ?
upper oesophageal sphincter
Which zone is the most high-pressure zone in the oesophagus ?
upper oesophageal sphincter (100 mmHg)
What structures define the boundaries of the oesophagus?
- The upper oesophageal sphincter
- The lower oesophageal sphincter
Which cranial nerves are involved in swallowing ?
- 5 (trigeminal)
- 7 (facial)
- 9 (glossopharyngeal)
- 10 (vagus)
- 12 (hypoglossal)
accessory nerve (11) also has small input
Which brainstem nuclei are primarily involved in the afferent relay pathways of swallowing ?
- Nucleus solitarius (X)
- Nucleus of the spinal tract of trigeminal (V)
Which of the brainstem nuclei are the main efferent pathways of swallowing ?
- dorsal motor nucleus
- nucleus ambiguous
Damage to which brainstem nucleus would result in severe dysphasia ?
Nucleus ambiguous (the main efferent nucleus of swallowing)
Does taste have any influence on the swallowing system ?
taste system is integrated with the swallowing system
stronger taste = stronger swallow
What are the characteristics of oropharyngeal dysphasia ?
- abnormal bolus transfer to the oesophagus
- difficulty initiating a swallow
- only one manifestation of the primary disease (e.g stroke)
What type of MRI has been used to image swallowing ?
FMRI
functional MRI
What did FMRI show about blood flow during swallowing ?
Increased blood flow
What are the characteristics of oesophageal dysphasia ?
- Abnormal bolus transport through oesophagus
- Food stops after initiation of swallow
- Oesophagus is the location of the primary disease (e.g achalasia)
What are some causes of neurological dysphasia ?
- stroke (main)
- parkinson’s
- motor neurone disease
- neuro-degenerative disease
- head injury
- MS
- others
What is the most common method of imaging oropharyngeal dysphasia ?
Videofluoroscopy (VFS)
swallow barium then study dynamic images over time
What are the 2 main methods of imagine swallowing ?
- VFS (videofluoroscopy)
- FEES (Fiberoptic endoscopic examination of swallowing)
What is the method of FEES (fiberoptic endoscopic examination of swallowing) ?
- insert tube with camera on it through the nose
- look at base of tongue, pharynx and larynx
What % of stroke victims experience dysphasia as a result ?
about 50%