Salivation and Swallowing

Question 1

What is the main composition of saliva?

Answer 1

Water, potassium, bicarbonate and enzymes

Question 2

Name 4 functions of saliva

Answer 2

Speech, hydrate food, digestive enzymes and solvent to dissolve flavour molecules

Question 3

What is xerostomia and what causes it?

Answer 3

Too little saliva causing dry mouth, caused by drugs, radiotherapy, mouth breathing or salivary gland surgery

Question 4

What is the neural innervation of the salivary glands?

Answer 4

Parasympathetic increases production, parotid = cranial nerve 9, sublingual and submandibular = cranial nerve 7

Question 5

What method is used to view the salivary glands and ducts?

Answer 5

Sialography

Question 6

Name the 3 phases of swallowing

Answer 6

Oral preparatory, pharyngeal and esophageal

Question 7

What is the pathway for neural control of swallowing and the gag reflex?

Answer 7

Mechanoreceptors, glossopharyngeal nerve, medulla, vagus nerve and pharyngeal constriction

Question 8

Name 2 areas of narrowing of the oesophagus

Answer 8

Junction of oesophagus with pharynx and where oesophagus is crossed by the arch of the aorta