Answered: Describe the mechanism of swallowing.

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)

11th Edition

ISBN:9780134580999

Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn

Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn

Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...

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Question

Describe the mechanism of swallowing.

Expert Solution

Step 1

The ingested food needs to be passed down to the stomach from the mouth cavity for progression and completion of the digestive process; this passage of food or drink to the stomach is termed swallowing.

Step 2

The mechanism of swallowing occurs in the following steps –

It starts with the buccal phase, during which there is a contraction of the upper esophageal sphincter; the food is pushed towards the oropharynx by the pressing action of the tongue muscle against the hard palate.
In the next phase, which is the pharyngeal-esophageal phase, there is an elevation of the larynx and uvula, which blocks the entry of food into the air passages. The tongue helps in the blockage of the mouth, and there is relaxation of the upper esophageal sphincter, which facilitates the passage of food into the esophagus.
In the next step, the food is forced into the esophagus in response to the contraction of the pharynx. The upper esophageal sphincter is closed after the entry of the food into the esophagus.
The food after entering the esophagus is pushed down to the stomach through the peristaltic movements of the esophagus.