GC: n

S: NCBI – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2597750/ (last access: 20 November 2014); UWH – http://www.uwhealth.org/voice-swallow/swallowing-treatments/26132 (last access: 20 November 2014).

N: 1. From swallow (v), old english swelgan “swallow, imbibe, absorb”, from Proto-Germanic swelgan/swelhan (cognates: old saxon farswelgan. Probably from Proto-Indo-European root swel- “to eat, drink”.
2. the taking in of a substance through the mouth and pharynx, past the cricopharyngeal sphincter, through the esophagus, and into the stomach.
3. Safe and effective swallowing is dependent upon perfect timing of three basic stages, as well as the effective performance by many nerves and muscles involved in the process. The three stages of swallowing include:
Oral Phase, when food is chewed and mixed with saliva to form a soft consistency called a bolus. The tongue then moves the bolus toward the back of the mouth. Pharyngeal Phase, when the vocal folds close to keep food and liquids from entering the airway. The larynx rises inside the neck and the epiglottis moves to cover it, providing even more airway protection. This stage failing can trigger symptoms like coughing during swallowing, a choking sensation, shortness of breath (dyspnea), changes in voice quality after swallowing, repeated pneumonia or weight loss. Esophageal Stage, when the bolus moves into the esophagus, the muscular tube that contracts to push the bolus into the stomach.If the esophageal stage is affected, the patient might experience heartburn, vomiting, burping or abdominal pain.

S: 1. OED. 2. DORLAND. 3. UWH – http://www.uwhealth.org/voice-swallow/swallowing-treatments/26132 (last access: 20 November 2014).

SYN: deglutition

S: DORLAND p. 481.

CR: dyspnea