The physiology of swallowing
Wuttge-Hannig, A.; Hannig, C.
Therapeutische Umschau. Revue Therapeutique 48(3): 144-149
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0040-5930 PMID: 2042116 Document Number: 372890
This article reviews the sensory and the motor coordination during the oro-pharyngeal and pharyngo-esophageal stage of deglutition including laryngeal dynamics. The performance of swallowing takes less than one second. In this short period the well-coordinated action of five cranial nerves and 26 muscle-groups has to be accomplished. There is a great number of dysfunctions, that can occur during this rapid and complex motility phenomena.