[Between biting and swallowing. Physiology of mastication]

Masticatory movements in man are almost cyclic and mainly vertical. The precise movements depend on many factors, such as the amount of food, its consistency and the morphology of the occlusal planes. In normal function chewing forces range from 10 to 50 N. For solid food the chewing performance can be characterized by determining the particle size of the comminuted food. Chewing movements and chewing forces result from a coordinated pattern of muscle activities. The basic pattern results from a central pattern generator in the brain stem. The control of the precise timing and intensity of the muscle activity necessary for commuting the food is a result of anticipation and of sensoric information from the masticatory system. During chewing the tongue plays an important role in transporting the food.