The food passes from the mouth into the pharynx. By the act of mastication, the food is softened and lubricated and the food bolus is placed over the dorsal surface of the tongue.
During of process of deglutition, the tongue pushes a bolus of food into the throat.
The nasopharynx is reflexively blocked. Respiration is inhibited, the vocal chords close and the epiglottis seals off the trachea, while the upper esophageal sphincter opens. The swallowing mechanism is coordinated in such a way that the food enters only down into the esophagus but not into other outlets.
A peristaltic wave forces the bolus into the stomach. Of the bolus gets stuck, stretching of the affected area triggers a secondary peristaltic wave.
Deglutition process occurs about 600 times during the day, during eating and drinking about 200-250 times, at other time 350 and during sleeping about 20 times.
Deglutition process