L7 : Physiology 2 : Digestion in Mouth and
Swallowing
1. What is the primary purpose of mastication?
a) To increase the temperature of the food
b) To break down food into small particles for easy swallowing
c) To eliminate harmful bacteria in the food
d) To enhance the color of the food
2. Which of the following is NOT involved in mechanical digestion in the mouth?
a) Teeth
b) Lips
c) Stomach
d) Tongue
3. What reflex is responsible for the repetitive process of chewing?
a) Swallowing reflex
b) Chewing reflex
c) Gag reflex
d) Stretch reflex
4. Which nucleus is involved in the stretch reflex during mastication?
a) Hypoglossal nucleus
b) Trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus
c) Facial nucleus
d) Vagus nucleus
5. What is the role of the jaw-closing muscle during mastication?
a) To inhibit the chewing reflex
b) To rebound contract during the stretch reflex
c) To block the nasal cavity
d) To stimulate salivary secretion
6. Which of the following is a benefit of breaking down food into smaller particles?
a) Increases the surface area for digestive enzymes
b) Reduces the need for saliva
c) Eliminates the need for swallowing
d) Decreases the flavor of the food
7. What is the first phase of swallowing called?
a) Pharyngeal phase
b) Esophageal phase
c) Buccal phase
d) Gastric phase
8. Which structure blocks the larynx during swallowing to prevent food from entering the airway?
a) Tongue
b) Soft palate
c) Epiglottis
d) Upper esophageal sphincter
9. What happens to the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) during swallowing?
a) It remains closed
b) It opens to allow food passage
c) It contracts to block food
d) It secretes digestive enzymes
10. Which phase of swallowing is voluntary?
a) Pharyngeal phase
b) Esophageal phase
c) Buccal phase
d) Gastric phase
1-b
2-c
3-b
4-b
5-b
6-a
7-c
8-c
9-b
10-c
11. What is the primary characteristic of the buccal phase of swallowing?
a) It is an involuntary stage
b) It involves the closure of the nasal cavity
c) It is a voluntary stage where the tongue pushes food into the pharynx
d) It takes 8-10 seconds
12. Which of the following nerves are involved in the afferent pathway of the swallowing reflex?
a) 5th, 9th, and 10th nerves
b) 7th and 12th nerves
c) 8th and 11th nerves
d) 6th and 9th nerves
13. What is the role of the soft palate during the pharyngeal phase of swallowing?
a) To block the oral cavity
b) To pull upward and close the posterior nasal cavity
c) To push food into the esophagus
d) To relax the upper esophageal sphincter
14. What happens to the vocal cords during the pharyngeal phase of swallowing?
a) They remain open
b) They are approximated strongly
c) They move downward
d) They secrete mucus
15. What is the function of the epiglottis during swallowing?
a) To push food into the esophagus
b) To block the larynx and prevent food from entering the trachea
c) To stimulate salivary secretion
d) To relax the lower esophageal sphincter
16. What is the effect of the upward movement of the larynx during swallowing?
a) It causes the vocal cords to open
b) It relaxes the upper esophageal sphincter (UES)
c) It blocks the nasal cavity
d) It inhibits the swallowing reflex
17. What is "swallowing apnea"?
a) A condition where swallowing is delayed
b) A temporary stoppage of respiration during swallowing
c) A reflex that opens the lower esophageal sphincter
d) A phase where food is pushed into the stomach
18. Which phase of swallowing involves primary and secondary esophageal peristalsis?
a) Buccal phase
b) Pharyngeal phase
c) Esophageal phase
d) Gastric phase
19. How long does the esophageal phase of swallowing typically take in a standing position?
a) 8-10 seconds
b) 5-8 seconds
c) 1-2 seconds
d) 10-12 seconds
20. What is the significance of the approximation of the vocal cords during swallowing?
a) It enhances the sense of taste
b) It prevents suffocation by blocking the trachea
c) It stimulates salivary secretion
d) It relaxes the upper esophageal sphincter
11-c
12-a
13-b
14-b
15-b
16-b
17-b
18-c
19-b
20-b
21. What initiates primary esophageal peristalsis?
a) Relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter
b) Stimulation of the enteric nervous system
c) Continuation of contraction of the superior constrictor muscles of the pharynx
d) Presence of food in the esophagus
22. What happens to primary peristalsis after vagotomy?
a) It becomes secondary peristalsis
b) It is abolished
c) It remains unaffected
d) It is enhanced
23. What triggers secondary esophageal peristalsis?
a) Relaxation of the upper esophageal sphincter
b) Failure of primary peristalsis to remove all food from the esophagus
c) Contraction of the lower esophageal sphincter
d) Stimulation of the vagal nerve fibers
24. Which part of the esophagus consists of striated muscles?
a) Entire esophagus
b) Lower 1/3
c) Upper 1/3
d) Middle 1/3
25. What is the function of the mucous glands in the esophagus?
a) To relax the lower esophageal sphincter
b) To stimulate peristalsis
c) To secrete mucus only
d) To secrete digestive enzymes
26. Which of the following factors decreases the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)?
a) Large doses of gastrin
b) Hiatus hernia
c) Positive intra-abdominal pressure
d) Fat, tea, coffee, and chocolate
27. What is the effect of large doses of gastrin on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)?
a) It decreases the tone of the LES
b) It increases the tone of the LES
c) It triggers secondary peristalsis
d) It has no effect on the LES
28. What is the role of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES)?
a) To initiate primary peristalsis
b) To prevent reflux of gastric acid into the esophagus
c) To guard the upper end of the esophagus
d) To secrete mucus
29. What happens to the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) in hiatus hernia?
a) It triggers secondary peristalsis
b) It decreases due to negative intrathoracic pressure
c) It increases due to positive intra-abdominal pressure d) It remains unaffected
30. Which of the following is NOT a factor that decreases the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter
(LES)?
a) Hiatus hernia
b) Prostaglandins
c) Gastrin
d) Fat, tea, coffee, and chocolate
21-c
22-b
23-b
24-c
25-c
26-d
27-b
28-c
29-b
30-c