Several movements occur when we swallow, including:
1. The movement of the tongue: The tongue pushes the food or liquid back towards the throat during swallowing.
2. The upward movement of the soft palate and uvula: The soft palate (the fleshy part at the back of the roof of the mouth) and the uvula (the small bell-shaped structure hanging from the soft palate) move upward to seal off the nasal cavity. This prevents food or liquid from entering the nose during swallowing.
3. The closure of the epiglottis: The epiglottis, a flap of tissue located at the base of the tongue, folds over the opening of the windpipe (trachea) to prevent food or liquid from entering the respiratory system.
4. The contraction of the pharyngeal muscles: The muscles in the pharynx (the back part of the throat) contract to push the food or liquid downwards towards the esophagus.
5. The relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter: The lower esophageal sphincter, a muscle valve at the bottom of the esophagus, relaxes to allow the food or liquid to enter the stomach.
These coordinated movements ensure that the food or liquid is safely transferred from the mouth, through the throat, and into the stomach without any blockages or reflux.
What else movement when we swallow
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