Swallowing
Swallowing
Swallowing (/ˈswɒləʊɪŋ/), also known as deglutition (/ˌdɛɡlʊˈtɪʃən/), is the process in the human body that makes it possible to swallow food and liquids. The term originates from the Old English 'swelgan', which means to consume or devour.
Process
Swallowing is a complex process that involves the coordinated action of muscles in the mouth, pharynx, and esophagus. It is divided into three stages: the oral phase, the pharyngeal phase, and the esophageal phase.
Oral Phase
The oral phase involves the voluntary action of chewing and forming a bolus (a small rounded mass of a substance) of food. The tongue then pushes the bolus towards the back of the mouth to initiate the next phase.
Pharyngeal Phase
The pharyngeal phase is an involuntary phase where the bolus is propelled into the esophagus. The epiglottis closes off the windpipe to prevent food from entering the lungs.
Esophageal Phase
The esophageal phase is also involuntary and involves the movement of the bolus down the esophagus and into the stomach through a series of muscular contractions known as peristalsis.
Related Terms
- Dysphagia: Difficulty in swallowing.
- Aphagia: Inability to swallow.
- Oropharyngeal dysphagia: Difficulty in moving food from the mouth to the esophagus.
- Esophageal dysphagia: Sensation of food sticking or getting stuck in the base of your throat or in your chest after you've started to swallow.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Swallowing
- Wikipedia's article - Swallowing
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