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Inferring the effects of saliva on liquid bolus flow using computer simulation
Andrew Ho1, Rebecca Affoo2, Nicole Rogus-Pulia3
1Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia, Canada.
Computers in Biology and Medicine
|September 1, 2017
Summary
Computer simulations challenge the idea that saliva lubricates liquid swallowing. A no-slip model, not a slip model, better matched real swallowing data, suggesting saliva has other crucial roles.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Fluid Dynamics
- Physiology
Background:
- Swallowing mechanics are complex, involving fluid dynamics.
- The role of saliva in lubricating liquid bolus transport is debated.
- Previous models often assumed slip boundary conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To computationally test if slip boundary conditions simulate healthy liquid swallowing.
- To investigate the role of saliva lubrication in bolus transport during swallowing.
- To compare simulation results with dynamic CT imaging data.
Main Methods:
- Six dynamic 320-row area detector CT (ADCT) scans of healthy adults swallowing liquids of varying viscosity (thin, nectar, honey-thick).
- Segmentation of the aerodigestive tract from ADCT data to create dynamic 3D geometries.
- Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) fluid simulation of liquid bolus flow using segmented geometries.
Main Results:
- The no-slip simulation (no lubrication) more accurately replicated ADCT bolus images compared to the slip simulation.
- This improved accuracy was particularly evident during the oral phase of swallowing.
- The findings indicate that lubrication is not the primary function of saliva in liquid swallowing.
Conclusions:
- The assumption that saliva acts as a lubricant in liquid swallowing is not supported by this simulation.
- A no-slip boundary condition provides a more accurate model for liquid bolus transport in the aerodigestive tract.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the true role of saliva in healthy liquid swallowing.
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