PenetrationAspiration
Penetration and aspiration are terms used in the context of swallowing function, particularly in speech-language pathology. Penetration refers to food or liquid entering the airway above the vocal folds, but not below them. This means it enters the larynx, the voice box, but does not descend into the trachea, the windpipe. While not always causing immediate symptoms, penetration can sometimes lead to coughing or a feeling of discomfort as the body attempts to clear the airway.
Aspiration, on the other hand, is the passage of material (food, liquid, saliva, or stomach contents) below
Assessment of penetration and aspiration is typically performed by a speech-language pathologist using instrumental evaluations like