Neelamisele

Neelamisele, also known as swallowing, is a complex physiological process involving the coordinated action of numerous muscles and nerves in the mouth, throat, and esophagus. It is essential for the ingestion of food, liquids, and saliva. The process can be broadly divided into three phases: oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal.

The oral phase is voluntary and begins with the preparation of food or liquid in the mouth, including chewing and mixing with saliva. The tongue then propels the bolus of food or liquid towards the back of the throat.

The pharyngeal phase is involuntary and is triggered when the bolus reaches the pharynx. This phase involves rapid, coordinated muscle contractions that propel the bolus down the pharynx while simultaneously closing off the airway to prevent aspiration. The soft palate elevates to block the nasal cavity, and the epiglottis covers the opening of the larynx.

The esophageal phase is also involuntary. Once the bolus enters the esophagus, peristalsis, a series of wave-like muscular contractions, transports it down to the stomach. The lower esophageal sphincter relaxes to allow the bolus to enter the stomach and then closes to prevent reflux.

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, can occur at any stage of this process and can be caused by a variety of neurological, structural, or functional conditions. These can include stroke, Parkinson's disease, head and neck cancer, or esophageal motility disorders. Proper diagnosis and management of swallowing difficulties are crucial to prevent malnutrition, dehydration, and aspiration pneumonia.