Physiology & behavior
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Physiology & behavior · May 2007
Volitional control of food transport and bolus formation during feeding.
When healthy individuals eat solid food, chewed food is usually transported to the oropharynx where it accumulates before swallowing (stage II transport). We tested the hypothesis that this transport process can be altered by volition. Eight healthy young subjects ate 8 g pieces of cookie with barium while movements were recorded with videofluorography. ⋯ The leading edge was typically higher in the foodway at the time of swallow onset with than without command (P=0.06). Under the command condition, stage II transport was delayed, and transport to the valleculae was inhibited. Volition alters swallow initiation in both the timing and location of the food bolus relative to the airway.