Swallowing, Coughing And Vomiting Flashcards
What are the 3 protective mechanisms
Mucosa and mucociliary action
Immunological defences e.g. IgA, IgE
Neuromuscular reflexes e.g. swallowing, sneezing
How is the neuromuscular protective mechanism carried out
Mechano/chemoreceptors in the upper aerodigestive tract
Afferent pathways involving cranial nerves V and X
Complex brain stem interactions
Co ordinated largely involuntary response involving several discrete muscle groups
What are the 3 swallowing phases
Oral (preparatory) phase
Pharyngeal phase
Oesophageal phase
Which phase of swallowing is voluntary
Oral phase
What happens during the oral swallowing phase
Food is chewed with saliva to form bolus
Tongue pushes backwards to pharynx
Teeth brought together by muscles of mastication
Lips seal (normally)
Intrinsic tongue muscles push tip of tongue against palatal surface of upper incisors - a groove forms in tongue
Aided by Buccinator muscle to propel bolus back
Where is the nucleus ambiguus located
In cell bodies of motor nerves that innervate ipsilateral muscles of soft palate, pharynx, larynx and upper oesophagus
What are the 4 steps to the pharyngeal phase of swallowing
Sensory input (X and others)
Nucleus of the tractus solitarius
Nucleus ambiguus in the brain stem ‘swallowing centre’
Co ordinated swallowing response
What happens with a larger bolus
The upper oesophageal sphincter is open longer and movement of hyoid and larynx is greater and of longer duration
Which cranial nerves are affected by the nucleus solitarius
Facial, glossopharyngeal, vagus (taste)
Glossopharyngeal sensation pharynx
Vagus sensation larynx
Which cranial nerve is sensation for the tongue, oral cavity, hard and soft palate
Trigeminal
Which muscles are involved in swallowing
Temporalis
Masseter
Stylopharyngeus
Pharyngeal m
Strap muscles - C1-3
What happens during the pharyngeal phase of swallowing
Inhibition of respiration
Elevation of soft palate
Glottis closes sealing laryngeal opening
Elevation of larynx pulled upwards to position where food is less likely to enter
Vocal cords adducted
Contraction of aryepiglottic m pulling epiglottis over laryngeal opening
Opening os pharyngo oespohageal sphincter to allow passage of food
Activation of pharyngeal muscles in swallowing
What happens during the oesophageal phase of swallowing
Food propelled towards stomach by peristalsis
Wave of contraction of circular smooth muscle of oesophagus which is preceded by wave of relaxation
Gastro oesophageal sphincter opens
Food enters stomach
Gravity contributes to process
What is another word for swallowing difficulties
Dysphagia
What is achalasia
The failure of sphincter smooth muscle relaxation to allow bolus through
What is diffuse oesophageal spasm
Varies in severity and leads to inefficient movement of food and liquids along oesophagus
Can lead to regurgitation and chest pain
What is gastro oesophageal reflux
Inflammation and scarring of oesophageal wall due to acid contents of stomach leaking upwards
Symptoms include coughing during swallowing or on waking
May be due to pathology or behaviour