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Principles of Deglutition pp 117–131Cite as

Oral Phase Preparation and Propulsion: Anatomy, Physiology, Rheology, Mastication, and Transport

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Abstract

The oral cavity is a chamber surrounded by and containing hard and soft tissues, notably the lips, cheeks, tongue, palate, and teeth. The oral cavity is the entrance to the digestive, vocal, and (at times) the respiratory tract. Thus, the structures of the oral cavity serve multiple functions in speaking, breathing, mastication and swallowing. Mastication, the initial phase of digestion, is the primary process of the oral preparatory phase of swallowing. Mastication is primarily controlled by motor pattern generators in the central nervous system and modified by internal factors such as dentition and saliva production and external factors such as food consistency. Coordinated motions of the jaws, tongue, soft palate, and hyoid bone reduce and moisten ingested food to render it suitable for swallowing, and transport food to the pharynx for bolus aggregation prior to swallowing. Saliva supports mastication by lubricating food during chewing, helping to forma bolus optimized for swallowing. Saliva also has protective functions for oral health. Food properties such as hardness, water content, flavor, and temperature modify masticatory performance and influence the initiation of swallowing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Special Care Dentistry, Matsumoto Dental University, 1780 Hirooka Gobara, Shiojiri, Nagano, Japan

    Koichiro Matsuo

  2. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 North Wolfe Street, Phipps 160, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Jeffrey B. Palmer MD

Authors
  1. Koichiro Matsuo
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  2. Jeffrey B. Palmer MD
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Correspondence to Jeffrey B. Palmer MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Div. Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Medical College of Wisconsin, West Wisconsin Avenue 9200, Milwaukee, 53226, Wisconsin, USA

    Reza Shaker

  2. , Dpt Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surg., UC Davis Medical Center, Stockton Blvd. 2521, Sacramento, 95817, California, USA

    Peter C. Belafsky

  3. Ctr for Voice, Airway & Swallowing Disor, Department of Otolaryngology, Georgia Health Sciences University, 15th Street 1120, Augusta, 30912, Georgia, USA

    Gregory N. Postma

  4. , Dpt of Communication Sciences & Disorder, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, East Hartford Ave 2400, Milwaukee, 53201, Wisconsin, USA

    Caryn Easterling

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Matsuo, K., Palmer, J.B. (2013). Oral Phase Preparation and Propulsion: Anatomy, Physiology, Rheology, Mastication, and Transport. In: Shaker, R., Belafsky, P., Postma, G., Easterling, C. (eds) Principles of Deglutition. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3794-9_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3794-9_8

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