Swallowing Process

   
Hello there! So today I will explain briefly about swallowing process or in medical term, it is called deglutition.

Deglutition is the process which body makes something to pass from mouth to pharynx and then into esophagus. In order for food bolus passing though the GI tract, peristalsis is needed for a proper digestion.

WHAT IS PERISTALSIS ? 

Peristalsis is the involuntary (automatic) constriction and relaxation of muscles of GI tract. 

Our body undergo 4 stages during swallowing process which are : 

1. Oral Preparatory Stage 
2. Oral Stage 
3. Pharyngeal Stage 
4. Esophageal Stage 

Now, I will explain precisely about each of these stages. 

• During Oral Preparatory Stage, food is chewed, mixed with saliva and formed into bolus. 
• Next is Oral Stage. During this stage food is moved back through the mouth with front-to-back squeezing action, performed primarily by tongue.
• Third stage is Pharyngeal Stage. This stage begins with pharyngeal swallowing response which are: 

      - Food enters the upper throat area (above voice box) 

      - Soft palate elevates 

      - Epiglottis closes off the trachea, as the tongue moves               backwards and pharyngeal wall  moves forward.

•   These actions help to force food(bolus) downward to esophagus. 
• Lastly is the Esophageal Stage. During this stage, food bolus enters the esophagus. The food bolus is moved to stomach by squeezing action of throat muscles. 

That's all for today. Hope this sharing will benefits you 😉😉