Swallowing Anatomy, Physiology and Dysphagia Flashcards
Prevalence of dysphagia in olde adults?
-Wide range between 22-68%
In which condition is dysphagia the most prevalent?
As high in 90% in ALS
Other conditions where dysphagia is common?
- Dementia
- Parkinsons
- MS
- TBI
- Stroke
- Oral cancer, tracheotomy and ventilator
Distinguish between the larynx and the pharynx
Larynx is the voice box, whereas the pharynx is found within the throat
Distinguish between dysphagia and dysphasia
Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder, while dyphasia is a language disoder
Distinguish between aphagia and aphasia
Aphagia is the inability or refusal to swallow, where aphasia is the impairment of language
What is aspiration pneumonia?
- A complication of pulmonary aspiration
- Happens when food, beverage or saliva enters the lung. Can also aspirate if vomiting, and therefore stomach acid could also be aspirated.
Why doesn’t aspiration pneumonia happens in healthy individuals?
-When bacteria is carried into the lungs, health individuals are capable to easily fight off small amounts of aspirate, but the less healthy (immune impaired) may develop pneumonia
What is silent aspiration?
Aspiration with no outwards signs (such as coughing). Usually happens in a person with decreased awareness, such as after a stroke
How can aspiration pneumonia happen?
Can sometimes happen when drooling and/or choking on saliva during sleep when the swallowing refluxes and muscles are more relaxed and the saliva can accumulate. This can also happen to people with a healthy swallow
What is the order of procedures to diagnose dysphagia?
1) Bedside swallow assessment
2) MBS videofluorscopy
3) Fiber-optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEED)
What are the key anatomical landmarks in swallowing?
- Nasal cavity
- Oral cavity
- Larynx
- Pharynx
- Esophagus
- Trachea
What does the pharynx consist of?
- Nasopharynx
- Oropharynx
- Hypo-pharynx
What is the epiglottic valleculae?
A depression just behind the root of the tongue between the folds in the throat
–> The depressions serve as “spit-traps” where saliva is temporarily held to prevent the initiation of the swallow reflec
What else can the epiglottic valleculae hold?
Retain food particles or liquids which could later fall into the trachea –> increased risk of aspiration pneumonia
What is the pyriform sinuses?
Part of the pharynx which leads to the esophagus in a small channel
What is the relationship between the epiglottic valleculae and the pyriform sinuses?
Are known as the pharyngeal recesses, or the side pockets, where food may fall and reside before or after the swallowing reflex is triggered
–> Residue can build up, cause infection especially when swallowing function is impaired in dysphagia
What is the laryngeal prominence?
Adams Apple
How many times to people swallow per day?
> 1000 times per day
Swallowing requires the coordination of ____ muscles and ___ cranial nerves
25
5-6
What is key in swallowing?
The coordination of swallowing plus breathing
What are the 4 phases of swallowing?
- Oral phase preparatory
- Oral phase transport
- Pharyngeal
- Esophageal