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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Coordinate Mapping of Hyolaryngeal Mechanics in Swallowing

Coordinate Mapping of Hyolaryngeal Mechanics in Swallowing

Published on: May 6, 2014

Oropharyngeal accommodation to swallow volume

P J Kahrilas¹, S Lin, J Chen

¹Department of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Gastroenterology

|August 1, 1996

Summary

Swallowing accommodates varying bolus volumes by prolonging pharyngeal reconfiguration, altering chamber dimensions and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) distention. This neurally mediated timing modification impacts bolus transit and radiographic appearance.

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Area of Science:

Physiology
Biomechanics
Radiology

Background:

The oropharyngeal swallow adapts to diverse bolus volumes, significantly altering its radiographic appearance.
Understanding the mechanism of volume accommodation is crucial for analyzing swallowing dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze the mechanism by which the pharyngeal swallow accommodates different bolus volumes.
To investigate the coordination of anatomical structures during swallowing of varying volumes.

Main Methods:

Biplane videofluoroscopic swallowing studies were conducted on 8 volunteers.
Measurements of glossopalatal, velopharyngeal, laryngeal vestibule, and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) coordination were taken.
Three-dimensional reconstructions analyzed the effect on intraluminal volume and propulsive function for 1-mL and 20-mL swallows.

Main Results:

Volume accommodation involved a 0.2-second prolongation of pharyngeal reconfiguration, maintaining event coordination.
Augmented reconfiguration expanded the pharyngeal chamber, accelerated bolus expulsion, and increased UES distention.
Maximal transpharyngeal flow per unit area across the UES remained constant, indicating compliance.

Conclusions:

Pharyngeal swallow volume accommodation is achieved by augmenting and prolonging the reconfiguration from a respiratory to deglutitive pathway.
Modified timing of neurally mediated events, amplified by mechanical consequences, explains variations in cineradiographic appearance and propulsion for different bolus volumes.