Swallowing

Question 1

Stage #1 of swallowing is…?

Answer 1

Mechanical digestion.
Teeth break down food
Tongue mixes food together with saliva to create a bolus

Question 2

Stage #2 of swallowing is…?

Answer 2

Tongue passes the bolus to the back of the mouth, towards the pharynx

(Last voluntary act of swallowing)

Pharynx forces tongue to press against the hard and soft palate of the mouth

Question 3

Stage #3 of swallowing is…?

Answer 3

The pharynx closes the epiglottis, which seals the trachea so the food does not enter the respiratory system

Tongue triggers wave of peristalsis along the pharynx and esophagus and the bolus is carried to the stomach