Faculty Collaboration Database

Effect of aging, position, and temperature on the threshold volume triggering pharyngeal swallows. Gastroenterology 1994 Aug;107(2):396-402

Date

08/01/1994

Pubmed ID

8039616

DOI

10.1016/0016-5085(94)90164-3

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0027964780 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   151 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Swallows triggered by direct stimulation of pharyngeal structures may help to prevent aspiration by emptying the pharynx. The aims of this study were to compare the biomechanical events of the pharyngeal and primary swallow, determine the threshold volume of liquid required to trigger the pharyngeal swallows, and determine the effect of aging, position, and temperature on this threshold volume.

METHODS: Concurrent manometry, video fluoroscopy, and video endoscopy were used to study young and elderly healthy volunteers.

RESULTS: During pharyngeal swallows, in contrast to primary swallows, the free portion of the tongue did not make contact with the hard palate. In addition, pharyngeal swallows did not result in oral bolus clearance. All other biomechanical events, including deglutitive glottal function, were similar in both types of swallows. The threshold volume for pharyngeal swallows in young volunteers was significantly smaller than in the elderly (P < 0.01). Temperature and position did not have significant effects on threshold volume.

CONCLUSIONS: Swallowing is readily induced by water stimulation of the pharynx. Pharyngeal swallows do not induce lingual peristalsis or clearance of oral content. The threshold volume of the pharyngeal swallow is significantly higher in the elderly than in the young, but it is not affected by body position or bolus temperature.

Author List

Shaker R, Ren J, Zamir Z, Sarna A, Liu J, Sui Z

Author

Reza Shaker MD Assoc Provost, Sr Assoc Dean, Ctr Dir, Chief, Prof in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging
Biomechanical Phenomena
Deglutition
Endoscopy
Fluoroscopy
Humans
Male
Manometry
Pharynx
Posture
Temperature
Videotape Recording