Digestion Starts In The Mouth: Everything You Need To Know

Digestion Starts In The Mouth: Everything You Need To Know

Question 1. Pharyngeal stage of deglutition.
Answer:

• It is a reflex process.

Events:

Question 2. Deglutition.
Answer:

Definition:

• It is a process by which chewed food is empotied from the mouth into the stomach.

Stages:

1. Oral stage:

• It constitutes the passage of food through the oral cavity towards the pharynx by the tongue.
• It is voluntary.

2. Pharyngeal stage;

• It is involuntary, complex, closely coordinated movements in the pharynx that pushes the bolus into the oesophagus.

3. Oesophageal stage:

• It is involuntary.
• As soon as bolus reaches the oesophagus, peristaltic waves are initiated which propel the bolus into stomach.

Question 3. Mastication.
Answer:

• It is the mechanical process occurring in GI tract which breaks up larger food particles into smaller pieces.

Significance:

• Makes easy swallowing of food
• Mixes the food with saliva thoroughly
• Lubricates and moistens dry food.
• Increases surface area of food particles for better digestion.
• Appreciation of taste.

Muscles of mastication:

• Masseter
• Temporal
• Pterygoids
• Buccinator