Physiology Of Swallowing Mnemonic

• Swallowing begins with a voluntary (oral) phase that includes preparation during which food is masticated and mixed with saliva.
• Whisper is an appropriate vocal volume to check for laryngeal function during swallowing.
• Airway protection is a crucial aspect of the pharyngeal swallow response.
• Larynx is elevated and pulled forward to facilitate upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening.
• Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxes to allow food into the esophagus.
• Oesophagus is a muscular tube that transports the food bolus to the stomach.
• When swallowing, there are primary peristalsis contractions along the entire length of the esophagus.
• Inhibition, known as deglutitive inhibition, precedes the peristaltic contraction during swallowing.
• Nonperistaltic contractions, called tertiary esophageal contractions, may occur spontaneously.
• Gastroesophageal reflux can trigger secondary peristalsis.
• Pharyngeal muscles are innervated by the ninth (glossopharyngeal) and tenth (vagus) cranial nerves.
• Hypoglossal cranial nerve innervates the tongue.
• Yawn is an example of a reflexive pharyngeal swallow.
• Smooth muscle controls the distal esophagus and LES.
• Inhibitory neurons release neurotransmitters such as nitric oxide in the esophageal myenteric plexus.
• Onset of deglutitive inhibition causes LES relaxation.
• Lower motor neurons in cranial nerves innervate the musculature of the oral cavity, pharynx, UES, and cervical esophagus.
• Oral cavity muscles are innervated by the fifth (trigeminal) and seventh (facial) cranial nerves.
• Ganglionic neurons are responsible for peristalsis in the esophagus.
• Yawning is not part of the swallowing process but is related to neural innervation.

Mnemonic :  SWALLOWING PHYSIOLOGY