Swallowing

Question 1

What is swallowing?

Answer 1

a complex muscular action which aims to direct the food bolus into the oesophagus while also preventing it from entering the nasal cavity or larynx.

Question 2

The bolus

Answer 2

is mixed with saliva to lubricate it, + then propelled by the tongue from the mouth to the oropharynx, + then into the oesophagus.
the swallowing process is as follows:

Question 3

1.

Answer 3

The lubricated ball of food is propelled backwards to the oropharynx by the action of the body of the tongue

Question 4

2.

Answer 4

the soft palate rises up + seals off the nasopharynx from the oropharynx, to prevent the bolus from passing upwards into the nose

Question 5

3.

Answer 5

at the same time, the larynx lifts up + is sealed by the epiglottis to prevent the bolus passing into the trachea + being inhaled into the lungs

Question 6

4.

Answer 6

the bolus is propelled downwards from the oropharynx by the base of the tongue + to the oesophagus by the throat muscles

Question 7

5.

Answer 7

oesophageal muscles then move the bolus downwards by peristalsis into the stomach