Sväljningsfaserna
Sväljningsfaserna, or swallowing phases, refer to the distinct stages involved in the complex physiological process of moving food or liquid from the mouth to the stomach. This process is crucial for nutrition and preventing aspiration, which is the entry of foreign material into the airway. Swallowing is typically divided into three or four phases, depending on the classification system used.
The first phase, the oral preparatory phase, is voluntary. During this phase, food is manipulated in the
The second phase, the oral propulsive phase, is also voluntary. The tongue thrusts the bolus posteriorly towards
The third phase, the pharyngeal phase, is involuntary and rapid. As the bolus enters the pharynx, the
The fourth phase, the esophageal phase, is involuntary. Once the bolus passes the upper esophageal sphincter,