Phases of Swallowing

Oral Prep Phase

•Under voluntary control, to prepare the bolus (= food ball) to begin digestion and transport

•Mastication

•Food is mixed with saliva to form a bolus in preparation for swallowing

Oral Phase

•voluntary,

The soft palate is elevated, the tongue is depressed and pulled backward.

•The anterior portion of the tongue is elevated to the hard palate and squeezes the bolus backward.

Pharyngeal Phase

Involuntary: Once initiated, it cannot be reversed.

•Voluntary: complex and sequential control of muscles to protect the airway from bolus

•Initiated about the time when the bolus head is passing any point between the anterior faucial pillars and the ramus of the mandible

•The bolus passes over the epiglottis through the pyriform sinuses to the esophagus. 

•Velum is elevated, Tongue is retracted, Lips are sealed. 

Esophageal Phase

•Involuntary

•The bolus is transported down the esophagus into the stomach during the esophageal phase.

•Swallowing involves peristaltic (wavelike) movement of the bolus through the esophagus.