Nneeldumine

Nneeldumine is a term found in Estonian-language texts, though the standard spelling is neeldumine; the form with a double initial n is typically a typographical variant found in non-Estonian sources. The word denotes the act of swallowing or ingestion, i.e., the process by which a substance is taken into the body through the mouth. It is formed from the verb neelama (to swallow) with the nominalizing suffix -dumine.

In medical and biological usage, neeldumine refers to the coordinated sequence of events that moves a bolus from the oral cavity through the oropharynx and into the esophagus, culminating in transit to the stomach. This includes the oral phase, the pharyngeal phase controlled by the swallowing reflex, and esophageal peristalsis. Clinically, difficulties with neeldumine are termed dysphagia and may indicate disorders of the mouth, throat, or esophagus.

Outside strict anatomy, the term may also appear in discussions of ingestion in animals and humans, including the uptake of liquids or particles in experimental contexts. It is not a term widely used in English-language writing, but is documented in Estonian medical and anatomical literature.

Related concepts include swallowing, dysphagia, and the esophagus.