1.2 Swallowing (Deglutition)
Swallowing is a complex reflex that moves a food bolus from the oral cavity to the esophagus. It is divided into three distinct phases.
Phase 1: Oral Phase
This is the only voluntary part of swallowing. Food is mixed with saliva to form a soft mass called a bolus. The tongue pushes the bolus towards the pharynx (the back of the throat).
Phase 2: Pharyngeal Phase
This phase is involuntary and begins when tactile receptors in the pharynx are stimulated. This process is coordinated by the 'Deglutition Center' in the brain.
Airway Protection:
- The soft palate lifts to close off the nasal passages.
- The tongue blocks the oral cavity to prevent the bolus from moving back into the mouth.
- The epiglottis folds down over the larynx (voice box).
- Vocal folds contract, covering the entrance to the trachea (windpipe).
Respiration is temporarily arrested. The upper esophageal sphincter opens, allowing the bolus to enter the esophagus. This temporary cessation of breathing is related to the shared pathway between the digestive and respiratory systems.
Phase 3: Esophageal Phase
This phase is involuntary. The bolus is propelled down the esophagus by a wave-like muscular contraction called peristalsis. The larynx returns to its original position.
Peristalsis
Peristalsis is a series of involuntary, wave-like muscle contractions that propel contents through tubular organs.
- Definition: An anterograde (forward-moving), rhythmic contraction of smooth muscles.
- Anti-peristalsis: A reverse wave of contractions that moves contents backward, often associated with the vomiting reflex.
Functions of Peristalsis
| Function | Description | Location(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Propulsion | Pushes food (bolus, chyme) and fluids through the digestive tract. | Esophagus, Stomach, Intestines |
| Mixing | Churns food with digestive juices to aid digestion and absorption. | Stomach, Small Intestine |
| Waste Removal | Drives fecal matter towards the rectum for elimination. | Large Intestine |
| Other Systems | Moves fluids in other tubular organs. | Urinary tract (urine), Bile ducts (bile) |
Peristalsis in the urinary tract is essential for moving urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Functions of Kidney→
Mechanism of Peristalsis
Peristalsis is controlled by the nervous system, specifically the myenteric plexus located between the circular and longitudinal muscle layers of the GI tract.
- A wave of smooth muscle relaxation moves ahead of the bolus, allowing the tube to expand.
- A wave of smooth muscle contraction occurs behind the bolus, propelling it forward.
Biological Significance: The coordinated actions of swallowing and peristalsis ensure the safe and efficient transport of food from the mouth to the stomach for digestion, while critically protecting the respiratory system from aspiration (food entering the airways).