Swallowing is a complicated mechanism, principally
because the pharynx most of the time sub serves respiration instead of
swallowing. It is converted for only a few seconds at a time into a tract for
propulsion of food. It is especially important that respiration not be
compromised because of swallowing.
because the pharynx most of the time sub serves respiration instead of
swallowing. It is converted for only a few seconds at a time into a tract for
propulsion of food. It is especially important that respiration not be
compromised because of swallowing.
In generals swallowing can be divided into three
stages:
stages:
Stage 1: A voluntary stage, which initials the swallowing process
Stage 2: A pharyngeal stage, which is involuntary and
constitutes the passages food through the pharynx into the esophagus.
constitutes the passages food through the pharynx into the esophagus.
State 3: An esophageal stage,
another involuntary phase that promotes passage of food from the pharynx to the
stomach.
another involuntary phase that promotes passage of food from the pharynx to the
stomach.
