Swallowing and Speech

Question 1

what are the three stages of swallowing? are they voluntary or involuntary?

Answer 1

1. buccal phase (voluntary)
2. pharyngeal stage (involuntary)
3. oesophageal stage (involuntary)

Question 2

what is swallowing?

Answer 2

process by which the accumulated food bolus is transported through the lower pharynx and oesophagus to the stomach

Question 3

what are the too functions of swallowing?

Answer 3

• feeding function

- protective function

Question 4

how are liquids swallowed?

Answer 4

• liquids are gathered on tongue, anterior to the pillars of fauces
• the mouth is separated from the pharynx by a posterior oral seal
• the liquid is then propelled through the oro- and hypo-pharynx and then into the oesophagus

Question 5

how are solids swallowed?

Answer 5

• chewed food accumulates on the pharyngeal part of the tongue and vallecula
• there is no true posterior oral seal
• the bolus is then propelled from the tongue through the hypo-pharynx
• then into the oesophagus

Question 6

how is reflux prevented?

Answer 6

• elevation of soft palate
• tongue (sides) contact pillars of fauces
• tongue (dorsum) contacts posterior pharyngeal wall
• upper oesophageal sphincter
• lower oesophageal sphincter

Question 7

what may occur to tooth surfaces as a result of reflux?

Answer 7

stomach acid can erode teeth!

- palatal surface of anteriors most common

Question 8

what is meant by attrition?

Answer 8

• tooth wear occlusally caused by contact between occluding teeth (bruxism)
• the teeth inter-digitate indicating that attrition is occuring

Question 9

how is the airway protected during swallowing?

Answer 9

• upward and forward movement of larynx
• closure of laryngeal inlet
• abduction of vocal folds

Question 10

what is meant by dysphasia?

Answer 10

a specific language disorder

Question 11

what is meant by dysphagia?

Answer 11

difficulty/inability in swallowing

Question 12

what is odynophagia?

Answer 12

the affected person experiences extreme pain when swallowing

Question 13

what is meant by dysarthria?

Answer 13

difficulty speaking that is caused by problems with the muscles used in speech
- neuromuscular defects

Question 14

what are some oral causes of language and speech defects?

Answer 14

• malocclusions
• loss of teeth and denture related
• cleft lip/palate
• tongue related
• dry mouth

Question 15

what conditions may affect the tongue and cause oral problems?

Answer 15

• tongue tie

- partial atrophy

Question 16

what social effect might xerostomia have on a patient?

Answer 16

• trouble speaking

- trouble swallowing

Question 17

what sounds might the loss of maxillary anterior teeth affect?

Answer 17

• ‘F’

- ‘V’

Question 18

what sounds might be affected as a result of occlusal plane problems?

Answer 18

Fricative sounds

• f
• v
• ph