MEDICAL PHYSIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The oral phase of swallowing is the first stage of deglutition, and it is a voluntary process. It is also commonly known as the buccal phase. It involves the contraction of the tongue to push the bolus up against the soft palate and then posteriorly into the oropharynx by both the tongue and the soft palate.

Detailed explanation-2: -The currently accepted model for swallowing describes three main stages: oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal phases. While solids and liquids share common pharyngeal and esophageal phases, they differ slightly in the processing and transport of boluses into the oropharynx during the oral phase.

Detailed explanation-3: -The act of swallowing has voluntary and involuntary components. The preparatory/oral phase is voluntary, whereas the pharyngeal and esophageal phases are mediated by an involuntary reflex called the swallowing reflex.

Detailed explanation-4: -Swallowing is a complex act that involves the coordinated activity of the mouth, pharynx, larynx and esophagus (Figure 1). A swallow has four phases: oral preparatory, oral propulsive, pharyngeal and esophageal.