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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Adapting Human Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Methods to Detect and Characterize Dysphagia in Murine Disease Models
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Pharyngeal wall differences between normal younger and older adults.

Shervin Aminpour1, Rebecca Leonard, Scott C Fuller

  • 1Center for Voice and Swallowing, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.

Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal
|April 19, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Older adults have thinner pharyngeal walls and reduced pharyngeal constriction during swallowing compared to younger adults, indicating age-related structural changes affecting swallowing function.

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Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Swallowing Physiology
  • Anatomy

Background:

  • Previous studies show age-related differences in pharyngeal size and function during swallowing.
  • Aging is associated with increased laryngeal-hyoid distance and reduced pharyngeal clearing.
  • These changes suggest age-related pharyngeal atrophy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare posterior pharyngeal wall thickness at rest and during maximal constriction in younger and older adults.
  • To investigate structural changes in the aging pharynx related to swallowing.
  • To determine if sex influences age-related pharyngeal wall thickness differences.

Main Methods:

  • Videofluoroscopic swallow studies were conducted on 178 normal adults.
  • Posterior pharyngeal wall thickness was measured at rest and during a 20-ml bolus swallow.
  • Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Student t-tests to assess age and sex differences.

Main Results:

  • No significant sex differences in pharyngeal wall thickness were observed within age groups.
  • Mean resting pharyngeal wall thickness was significantly lower in older adults (0.30 cm) than younger adults (0.39 cm).
  • Mean maximal constrictive pharyngeal wall thickness was significantly lower in older adults (0.92 cm) than younger adults (1.08 cm).

Conclusions:

  • The posterior pharyngeal wall is thinner in older adults compared to younger adults.
  • Older adults exhibit reduced pharyngeal constriction during swallowing.
  • These findings contribute to understanding age-related declines in swallowing strength, efficiency, and safety.