| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Pharynx | Passageway between mouth and esophagus |
| Nasopharynx | Passage for air only |
| Oropharynx | Passage for air and food; behind oral cavity |
| Laryngopharynx | Passage for air and food; behind epiglottis |
| Swallowing | Deglution; process of moving the bolus from the mouth through the pharynx and into the esophagus |
| Voluntary | Stage of swallowing involving skeletal muscle in the mouth; bolus is pushed back into the oropharynx |
| Pharyngeal | Stage of swallowing that is involuntary; involves smooth muscle which moves the bolus through the pharynx and into the upper esphageal sphincter |
| Esophageal | Stage of swallowing that is involunary movement of the bolus through the esophagus then through the lower esophageal sphincter and stomach |
| Peristalsis | Series of mechanical contractions that pushes food through the GI tract; mucus is secreted to lubricate passageway |
| Esophagus | Muscular tube posterior to the trachea; mechanical pathway between the mouth (pharynx) and stomach; has two sphincters - one at top and one at bottom |
| Functions of the esophagus | Secretes mucous - to lubricate the esophagus; transports food - into the stomach through peristalsis; does not secrete digestive juices or participate in absorption |
Combine with other sets
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