Which motions contribute to opening of the UES during swallowing?

Prepare for the Praxis Dysphagia Test with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, designed to provide explanations and hints. Equip yourself with the knowledge needed for your examination!

Multiple Choice

Which motions contribute to opening of the UES during swallowing?

Explanation:
Opening of the UES during swallow mainly depends on hyolaryngeal excursion—specifically anterior (forward) and superior (upward) movement of the hyoid and larynx. This forward-up shift pulls the cricopharyngeus muscle (the UES) open as it relaxes, creating a brief widening that lets the bolus pass from the pharynx into the esophagus. Movements in other directions don’t promote this opening: backward or downward movement wouldn’t pull the UES open, depressing the larynx isn’t the mechanism that widens the sphincter, and while pharyngeal constriction helps propel the bolus, it isn’t the primary factor that opens the UES.

Opening of the UES during swallow mainly depends on hyolaryngeal excursion—specifically anterior (forward) and superior (upward) movement of the hyoid and larynx. This forward-up shift pulls the cricopharyngeus muscle (the UES) open as it relaxes, creating a brief widening that lets the bolus pass from the pharynx into the esophagus.

Movements in other directions don’t promote this opening: backward or downward movement wouldn’t pull the UES open, depressing the larynx isn’t the mechanism that widens the sphincter, and while pharyngeal constriction helps propel the bolus, it isn’t the primary factor that opens the UES.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy