Phases of Swallowing

Question 1

4 Stage of Swallowing

Answer 1

1. Oral Prepatory Stage
2. Oral Transit Stage
3. Pharyngeal Stage
4. Esophageal Stage

Question 2

Oral Prepatory Stage

Answer 2

• preparation of food/drink using sensory recognition
• labial seal, tongue cupping of liquids
  -facial muscle tension
• mastication
  -lingual pull of the bolus centrally onto the tongue to prepare for transit

Question 3

Oral Transit Stage

Answer 3

• anterior- posterior transit of the bolus by the tongue
• stripping of bolus between the tongue and the palate
• Typical 1- 1.5 seconds

Question 4

Pharyngeal Stage

Answer 4

• leading edge of the bolus passes between the anterior facial pillars and the rim of the mandible; cross middle of the tongue base
• elevation and retraction of velum = close VP port
• elevation and excursion of hyoid and larynx
• 3 levels of layrngeal closure: true vfs, false vfs, arytenoids bulk up
• epiglottic deflection
• pharyngeal wall enlarges, and pharyngeal constrictiors contract
• tongue base retracts, pharyngeal wall comes together
• cessation of breathing; swallowing apnea
• opening and relaxing of the UES

Question 5

Esophageal Stage

Answer 5

• exhalation continues
• bolus passes through UES- Esophagus- PES (peristaltic waves)