Definition
- Deglutition (swallowing) transports a food bolus from the oral cavity to the stomach in three sequential phases: oral (voluntary), pharyngeal and esophageal (both involuntary or reflexive).
Esophageal peristaltic wave3 to 5 cm/s
Esophageal bolus transitabout 10 seconds
Stages of Deglutition
Swallowing Phase
- Oral phase: bolus into pharynx.
- Pharyngeal reflex closes the airway, apnea, UES relaxes.
- Esophageal phase: primary peristalsis.
- LES relaxes.
- Bolus enters stomach.