Effect of swallowed bolus variables on oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing. Am J Physiol 1990 May;258(5 Pt 1):G675-81
Date
05/01/1990Pubmed ID
2333995DOI
10.1152/ajpgi.1990.258.5.G675Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0025328802 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 394 CitationsAbstract
In this investigation, we studied the effects of bolus volume and viscosity on the quantitative features of the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing. Concurrent videofluoroscopic and manometric studies were done in 10 healthy volunteers who were imaged in lateral projection. Videofluorography was done at 30 frames/s while concurrent manometry was done with 5 intraluminal transducers that straddled the pharynx and upper esophageal sphincter (UES). Submental electromyography was recorded also. Swallows of 2-20 ml were recorded for low-viscosity liquid barium and high-viscosity paste barium. Analysis indicated that the major effect of increases in bolus volume was an earlier onset of anterior tongue base movement, superior palatal movement, anterior laryngeal movement, and UES opening. These events provide receptive adaptation for receiving a swallowed bolus. Earlier UES opening was associated with an increase in the duration of sphincter opening and sphincter diameter. The major effects of high bolus viscosity, unrelated to bolus volume, were to delay oral and pharyngeal bolus transit, increase the duration of pharyngeal peristaltic waves, and prolong and increase UES opening. Thus the specific effect of bolus viscosity per se differs substantially from that of bolus volume. We conclude that 1) specific variables of swallowing are affected significantly by the variables of the swallowed bolus, such as volume and viscosity; 2) overall, bolus volume and viscosity affect swallowing in a different manner; and 3) the study findings have implications about the neural control mechanisms that govern swallowing as well as about the diagnosis and treatment of patients with abnormal oral-pharyngeal swallowing.
Author List
Dantas RO, Kern MK, Massey BT, Dodds WJ, Kahrilas PJ, Brasseur JG, Cook IJ, Lang IMAuthors
Mark K. Kern Research Scientist II in the Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinIvan M. Lang DVM, PhD Adjunct Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Benson T. Massey MD Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultDeglutition
Electromyography
Fluoroscopy
Humans
Larynx
Male
Manometry
Mouth
Muscle, Smooth
Peristalsis
Pharynx
Reference Values
Video Recording
