Yutma

Yutma, also known as deglutition, is the complex physiological process of swallowing food, liquid, or saliva from the mouth to the stomach. It involves a coordinated sequence of voluntary and involuntary muscle contractions. The process can be broadly divided into three phases: oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal.

The oral phase begins with the voluntary manipulation of food or liquid in the mouth by the tongue and cheeks, forming a bolus. This bolus is then propelled towards the back of the throat. The pharyngeal phase is a rapid, involuntary reflex triggered when the bolus reaches the pharynx. During this phase, the soft palate elevates to block the nasal cavity, and the epiglottis covers the opening of the larynx to prevent aspiration into the airway. The pharyngeal muscles contract to move the bolus down into the esophagus.

The final phase, the esophageal phase, is also involuntary. Once the bolus enters the esophagus, the upper esophageal sphincter relaxes. Peristalsis, a series of wave-like muscle contractions, then propels the bolus down the esophagus towards the stomach. The lower esophageal sphincter relaxes to allow the bolus to enter the stomach, and then closes to prevent reflux. Disruptions to any of these phases can lead to dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, which can have various underlying causes and implications for health.