Bolus aggregation in the oropharynx does not depend on gravity.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether bolus aggregation in the oropharynx (before swallowing) depends on gravity.


METHODS
Before-during trial, with subjects serving as their own controls.


METHODS
Hospital radiology suite.


METHODS
Five asymptomatic adult volunteers.


METHODS
Videofluorography was performed while subjects ate soft and hard foods containing barium, first seated upright and then kneeling face down (quadruped position).


METHODS
Duration of food processing in the oral cavity, bolus aggregation in the valleculae, and pharyngeal swallow.


RESULTS
Transport of chewed solid food from the oral cavity to the oropharynx (stage II transport) typically started several seconds before onset of swallow, regardless of head position or initial food consistency. Bolus aggregation in the valleculae (between the epiglottis and the tongue) began an average of 1.7 +/- 2.5sec before the onset of the pharyngeal swallow (p < .001). Stage II transport was driven by tongue-palate contact.


CONCLUSIONS
Transport of chewed solid food from the oral cavity to the pharynx is driven actively by tongue-palate contact and does not depend on gravity. A bolus may accumulate in the valleculae for several seconds before the swallow.
Palmer
J B
JB
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University and Good Samaritan Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA.
D000328:Adult; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006112:Gravitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture; D013997:Time Factors; D014743:Videotape Recording