Physiology of Deglutition Dr. Vishal Sharma
Stages Oral stage (lasts for 1 second, voluntary) Preparatory phase Propulsive phase Pharyngeal Stage (1 second, involuntary) Oesophageal Stage (8-20 seconds)
Oral preparatory stage Not required for liquids Solid food chewed, lubricated with saliva & converted to a bolus Requires coordinated movement of lips, cheeks, jaws & tongue against a closed oropharyngeal isthmus
Oral preparatory stage
Oral propulsive stage Food bolus propelled backwards by pressing of tongue against hard palate Approximation of tongue against hard palate starts with tip of tongue & moves back Stage ends when food bolus crosses anterior tonsillar pillar
Oral propulsive stage
Pharyngeal stage 1. Nasopharyngeal isthmus closed: soft palate touches Passavant’s ridge 2. Oropharyngeal isthmus closed: tongue base touches palate 3. Elevation of larynx: negative pressure in hypopharyngeal lumen (suction pump)
Pharyngeal stage 4. Closure of larynx: below upwards True vocal cords approximate False cords approximate Ary-epiglottic folds approximate Temporary cessation of respiration Epiglottis falls back over larynx inlet (?)
Nasopharyngeal isthmus closed
Elevation & closure of Larynx
Oropharyngeal isthmus closed
Pharyngeal stage 5. Posterior retraction of base tongue: tongue driving force 6. Pharyngeal constrictors contract 7. Elevation of pharynx 8. Opening of cricopharyngeal sphincter
Tongue driving force
Contraction & elevation of pharynx
Opening of cricopharynx
Oesophageal stage 1. Closing of cricopharyngeal sphincter 2. Opening & descent of larynx 3. Primary peristalsis: large amplitude, propulsive 4. Secondary peristalsis: small amplitude, propulsive, for food remnants 5. Relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter: food bolus enters stomach
Closing of cricopharynx
Opening & descent of larynx
Oesophageal Peristalsis
Peristalsis
Intraluminal pressure changes
Bolus enters stomach
Neural Mechanism Afferent: 5th, 9th & 10th cranial nerves Deglutition centre: medulla oblongata Efferent: 10th, 11th & 12th cranial nerves tongue, pharynx, larynx & oesophagus muscles Cessation of respiration: connection between deglutition & respiration centres in medulla
Recap
Oral preparatory stage
Oral propulsive stage
Nasopharyngeal isthmus closed
Elevation & closure of Larynx
Oropharyngeal isthmus closed
Tongue driving force
Contraction & elevation of pharynx
Opening of cricopharynx
Closing of cricopharynx
Opening & descent of larynx
Primary Peristalsis
Bolus enters stomach
Video-fluoroscopy Lateral view
Oral propulsive stage
Larynx elevation
Closure of nasopharyngeal isthmus & larynx
Contraction of upper constrictor
Contraction of middle constrictor
Contraction of lower constrictor & relaxation of cricopharyngeal sphincter
Cricopharyngeal sphincter closes & larynx opens
Video-fluoroscopy Anterior view
Contrast enters oropharynx
Pyriform fossae fill symmetrically
Contrast reaches crico-pharyngeal sphincter
Cricopharynx opens & contrast enters esophagus
Constrictors squeeze all contrast into esophagus
No stasis
Factors preventing reflux Anatomical: 1. Lower oesophageal sphincter contraction 2. Pinch cock action of right crus of diaphragm 3. Oblique esophageal entry into stomach 4. Lower esophageal mucosal folds (valvular)
Factors preventing reflux 5. Oblique gastric muscle around lower esophagus 6. Abdominal pressure > gastric pressure & intra-thoracic pressure Physiological: 1. Unidirectional esophageal peristalsis 2. Gastric emptying
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