Personal Reflections

In this chapter, I have learned that deglutition, often known as swallowing, is the process where a material may travel from the mouth, via the pharynx, and into the esophagus while the epiglottis is closed. Eating and drinking need the process of swallowing. Suffocation may occur if the procedure does not proceed as planned, resulting in tracheal ingestion of the substance (such as food, drink, or medication). Suppression of the epiglottis is governed by the swallowing reflex in the human body. A bolus is the amount of food, drink, or other stuff that can be swallowed in a single gulp.

I have also learned that in order for a solid meal to be securely eaten, mastication is required. Deglutition is triggered by bolus properties, such as particle size or cohesiveness, which are constantly perceived throughout the masticatory process.

When it comes to swallowing, most individuals don't give it much attention. However, as future speech-language pathologists, it is vital to learn about mastication and deglutition seriously since this is one of the fields we focus on. We should try to learn and understand the process of swallowing not just because we are SLPs, but because we also swallow and we use it in our everyday lives.