title: Swallowing disorders.
abstract: Swallowing is a coordinated activity that enables solids and liquids to pass uninterruptedly from the mouth to the stomach. Dysphagia occurs when this process is disrupted by organic or functional alterations at the level of swallow initiation or esophageal emptying. The differential diagnosis includes obstructive lesions and motility disorders. Symptoms and clinical features help distinguish these diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Merlo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000150:complications; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007418:Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis; D010528:Peristalsis; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications; D013035:Spasm