Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to obtain fundamental data concerning about the tongue movements while swallowing in order to establish in objective evaluation for tongue movements using the simultaneous recording system with the tongue pressure changes to the palate and the masticatory muscles activity.
Seven subjects who were diagnosed to have normal deglutition participated in the study. For measurements of tongue movements, the artificial palatal plate was prepared, in which three strain gauges for measuring tongue pressure were installed at three positions in the mid line of the palate, frontal, middle and rear parts of the palate antero-posteriorly. The tongue pressure changes and the masticatory muscles activity were measured while swallowing 5 ml of water,5 g of pudding and 5 g of gummy jelly, respectively. The measurements were performed at 3 days later after putting on the artificial palatal plate. The onset of the deglutition was so defined that the larynx rose up to the anterior direction.
Onset and offset of the tongue pressure differed significantly among the test foods. A double-peak pattern and a single-peak pattern were seen from the tongue pressure tracings. The 1st peak was detected at each sensor in the order of frontal, middle and rear, and 2nd peak roughly simultaneously.
It was suggested that the 1st peak was associated with transport of a bolus to the posterior direction in the oral cavity, and that the 2nd peak was associated with the act of swallowing. Key words: Swallowing, Food differences, Tongue pressure changes, Masticatory muscles, Electromyograms
