2011 Volume 15 Issue 2 Pages 165-173
Objective: To understand the role of tongue position for pharyngeal swallowing, the effects of altered tongue positions on hyolaryngeal movement and pharyngo-esophageal segment (PES) opening were investigated.
Method: Thirteen normal adults (22–38 years old) participated in the experiment. Each subject swallowed two volumes (3 cc and 10 cc) of thickened liquid with contrast media under four tongue positions (normal, upper, lower, and no-contact). Hyoid bone and laryngeal displacement (vertical and horizontal directions) and the degree and duration of PES opening were measured with fluoroscopic images.
Results: The magnitude of hyoid bone displacement was greater for normal and upper positions (15.1–16.6 mm) than for lower and no-contact positions (11.1–14.9 mm). The magnitude of laryngeal displacement was invariant for tongue positions and volumes (20.1–24.7 mm). There was a moderate positive correlation between the degree of PES opening and the horizontal displacement of hyoid bone.
Conclusion: Upper tongue positions facilitate hyoid bone movement and PES opening.
