deglutições

Deglutições is the Portuguese word for "swallowing." This complex physiological process involves the coordinated action of numerous muscles and nerves to move food or liquid from the mouth to the stomach. The act of swallowing is typically divided into three phases: oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal. The oral phase is voluntary, where the tongue manipulates food and prepares it for propulsion. The pharyngeal phase is largely involuntary and involves a rapid sequence of muscle contractions that propel the bolus of food down the pharynx, simultaneously closing off the airway to prevent aspiration. Finally, the esophageal phase is also involuntary, with peristaltic waves in the esophagus moving the food down to the stomach. Disorders of swallowing, known as dysphagia, can occur at any of these stages and can lead to difficulties with eating, drinking, and potentially serious health complications such as malnutrition, dehydration, and aspiration pneumonia.