What is the act of swallowing called?

What is the act of swallowing called?

• A. Deglutition
• B. Peristalsis
• C. Emesis
• D. Mastication

Answer: (A)

Swallowing is called deglutition. It’s the coordinated process that moves a swallowed bolus from the mouth through the pharynx and into the esophagus, and onward to the stomach. The oral phase is voluntary and shapes and propels the bolus; the pharyngeal phase is reflexive, guiding the bolus past the oropharynx while protecting the airway, and the esophageal phase uses peristaltic contractions to push the bolus downward. Emesis is vomiting, and mastication is chewing, so neither matches the act of swallowing. Deglutition specifically describes this complex, multi-phase sequence.

Swallowing is called deglutition. It’s the coordinated process that moves a swallowed bolus from the mouth through the pharynx and into the esophagus, and onward to the stomach. The oral phase is voluntary and shapes and propels the bolus; the pharyngeal phase is reflexive, guiding the bolus past the oropharynx while protecting the airway, and the esophageal phase uses peristaltic contractions to push the bolus downward. Emesis is vomiting, and mastication is chewing, so neither matches the act of swallowing. Deglutition specifically describes this complex, multi-phase sequence.