🧠 Dysphagia Concepts — Q&A Study Set

1. What is dysphagia?

Dysphagia is difficulty or impairment in any stage of swallowing (oral, pharyngeal, or esophageal).

2. What is a bolus?

A bolus is a cohesive mass of food or liquid prepared in the oral cavity before swallowing.

3. What is laryngeal penetration?

Laryngeal penetration occurs when the bolus enters the laryngeal vestibule but does not pass below the vocal folds.

4. What is aspiration?

Aspiration occurs when the bolus travels below the vocal folds into the trachea.

5. What is residue?

Residue is material left behind in the oral cavity, valleculae, or pyriform sinuses after a swallow.

6. What is the difference between a feeding disorder and a swallowing disorder?

A feeding disorder involves difficulty bringing food to the mouth, while a swallowing disorder involves difficulty with the physiological act of swallowing.

7. What is non-oral feeding?

Non-oral feeding is nutrition provided through methods such as NG tubes or PEG tubes instead of oral intake.

8. What healthcare settings manage dysphagia?

Dysphagia is managed in acute care, subacute care, SNFs, inpatient rehab, outpatient clinics, and home health.

🦷 Anatomy & Physiology

9. What do the muscles of mastication do?

They move the jaw for chewing and help prepare the bolus.

10. Which cranial nerve controls mastication?

The Trigeminal nerve (CN V) controls mastication.

11. What do the facial muscles do during swallowing?

They maintain lip seal and prevent anterior loss or pocketing of the bolus.

12. Which cranial nerve controls facial muscles?

The Facial nerve (CN VII) controls facial muscles.

13. What is the function of the tongue muscles?

They shape the bolus and propel it posteriorly into the pharynx.

14. What do the suprahyoid muscles do?

They elevate and move the hyoid bone forward to assist with airway protection and UES opening.

🍽️ Swallowing Stages

15. What happens in the oral preparatory phase?

Food is chewed and mixed with saliva to form a cohesive bolus.

16. What happens in the oral phase?

The tongue elevates and pushes the bolus posteriorly while the soft palate closes off the nasopharynx.

17. What triggers the pharyngeal swallow?

The swallow is triggered by sensory receptors in the posterior tongue and palate detecting the bolus.

18. What happens during the pharyngeal phase?

The pharyngeal constrictors contract, the tongue base retracts, the hyoid moves up and forward, the airway closes, and the bolus moves toward the UES.

19. What happens during the esophageal phase?

A peristaltic wave transports the bolus through the esophagus, and secondary waves clear any remaining material.

🧠 Neurological Control

20. What does the Trigeminal nerve (CN V) do in swallowing?

It provides motor control for chewing and sensory input to the oral cavity.

21. What does the Facial nerve (CN VII) do in swallowing?

It provides lip seal, facial movement, and taste to the anterior tongue.

🔍 Normal Swallowing

22. What are the goals of normal swallowing?

To protect the airway, efficiently move the bolus through all stages, and coordinate muscle timing and pressure for effective bolus transport.