in which they are embedded (260). The mandible moves in a three-dimensional pattern as food is positioned between the teeth for chewing. The tongue is used to position food between the contacting surfaces of the teeth. By changing its position, the tongue helps transport the bolus of food to the upper portion of the vertical subsystem of the swallowing mechanism.
B. Pharynx: The structures of the pharynx which are involved in swallowing include the pharyngeal (muscular) palate, the pharyngeal portion of the tongue, the oropharynx, and the hypopharynx (Bosma, Donner, Tanaka and Robertson, 1986). These constitute the mobile portion of the pharynx, and it is in this portion of the pharynx that the foodway and the airway intersect. The pharynx is anatomically adapted for swallowing, maintenance of the pharyngeal airway, and participation in speech and other respiratory functions. The anterior components of the pharynx involved in swallowing are the tongue, hyoid bone, and larynx. The pharyngeal
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