𖹭 Swallowing, also known as deglutition

𖹭 Conveying food and fluids from the pharynx to the stomach

𖹭 The presence of food in the mouth triggers the swallowing reflex

𖹭 Afferent impulses in the glossopharyngeal-vagal reflex are involved

𖹭 Integration of impulses occurs in the nucleus of tractus solitarius (NTS), nucleus ambiguus (NA), and dorsal vagal nucleus

𖹭 Efferent impulses/motor pathways pass to the pharyngeal musculature, tongue, esophagus, and lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS)

𖹭 Swallowing is characterized by coordinated opening and closing of the upper oesophageal sphincter (UOS) and lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS)

Learn: Oesophagus and its disorders (Physiology)