Sväljförmåga

Sväljförmåga, or swallowing ability, refers to the complex physiological process of moving food, liquid, or saliva from the mouth to the stomach. This process involves a coordinated effort of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, and several cranial nerves. The act of swallowing is divided into three phases: the oral phase, the pharyngeal phase, and the esophageal phase.

The oral phase is voluntary and involves preparing the bolus (food or liquid) in the mouth, chewing if necessary, and then propelling it towards the back of the throat. The pharyngeal phase is involuntary and rapid, involving the closure of the airway (larynx and epiglottis) to prevent aspiration into the lungs. The bolus is squeezed through the pharynx and into the esophagus. The esophageal phase is also involuntary, where the bolus travels down the esophagus to the stomach through peristalsis, a series of muscular contractions.

Difficulties with swallowing, known as dysphagia, can arise from various causes. These include neurological conditions like stroke, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis, as well as structural issues in the mouth, throat, or esophagus, such as tumors or inflammation. Age-related changes can also affect swallowing efficiency. Dysphagia can lead to problems such as malnutrition, dehydration, aspiration pneumonia, and a reduced quality of life. Assessment of swallowing ability is often performed by speech-language pathologists or other medical professionals.