nielemiskykyä

Nieleimiskyky refers to the complex physiological process of swallowing in humans and animals. This ability, also known as deglutition, is crucial for transferring food and liquid from the mouth to the stomach. The act of swallowing involves a coordinated sequence of muscular contractions and relaxations, orchestrated by the nervous system.

The swallowing process is typically divided into three phases: oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal. The oral phase, which is voluntary, involves the preparation of food or liquid in the mouth, forming a bolus, and its propulsion towards the pharynx. The pharyngeal phase is involuntary and rapid, characterized by the closure of the airway to prevent aspiration, the elevation of the soft palate to block the nasal cavity, and the contraction of pharyngeal muscles to move the bolus downwards. Finally, the esophageal phase is also involuntary, where the bolus travels down the esophagus to the stomach through peristalsis, a series of wave-like muscle contractions.

Dysphagia is the medical term for difficulty in swallowing. It can arise from a variety of causes, including neurological disorders (such as stroke or Parkinson's disease), structural abnormalities in the mouth, pharynx, or esophagus, and age-related changes. Impaired nielemiskyky can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, aspiration pneumonia, and a diminished quality of life. Assessment and management of swallowing difficulties are often undertaken by speech-language pathologists and other healthcare professionals.