How many phases does swallowing have?

How many phases does swallowing have?

• A. Two
• B. Three
• C. Four
• D. Five

Answer: (B)

Swallowing is a coordinated sequence described as three main phases: oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal. In the oral phase, the bolus is prepared and moved toward the back of the mouth by the tongue and jaw; this part is largely voluntary. When the bolus reaches the back of the oropharynx, the pharyngeal phase begins and the swallow reflex is triggered. During this brief, automatic phase, airway protection is prioritized—think of the epiglottis tilting and the vocal folds closing—while the bolus is guided through the pharynx toward the esophagus. Finally, the esophageal phase uses peristaltic waves to move the bolus down into the stomach, a reflexive process that completes the swallow. Some clinicians subdivide the oral portion further into preparatory and transit stages, which leads to descriptions with four components, but the standard three-phase framework is the most widely used in dysphagia practice.

Swallowing is a coordinated sequence described as three main phases: oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal. In the oral phase, the bolus is prepared and moved toward the back of the mouth by the tongue and jaw; this part is largely voluntary. When the bolus reaches the back of the oropharynx, the pharyngeal phase begins and the swallow reflex is triggered. During this brief, automatic phase, airway protection is prioritized—think of the epiglottis tilting and the vocal folds closing—while the bolus is guided through the pharynx toward the esophagus. Finally, the esophageal phase uses peristaltic waves to move the bolus down into the stomach, a reflexive process that completes the swallow. Some clinicians subdivide the oral portion further into preparatory and transit stages, which leads to descriptions with four components, but the standard three-phase framework is the most widely used in dysphagia practice.