swallowing reflex
Involuntary throat response
The swallowing reflex is the automatic muscle response that moves food or liquid from the mouth through the throat and into the esophagus.
It's triggered when something touches the back of the throat, coordinating dozens of muscles to prevent choking.
Infants are born with this reflex, though it can be impaired by stroke, neurological conditions, or aging.
- gagMouth restraint or jest
- chokeObstruct breathing or airflow
- choking hazardItem risking airway blockage
- throatNeck's inner passage
- esophagusFood tube to stomach
gulp · bolus · saliva · tongue · pharynx · epiglottis · cough · muscles · involuntary · deglutition · airway · larynx · peristalsis · food · liquid · difficulty · feeding tube · stroke
swallowing reflexgag reflex
Throat's protective contraction
regurgitation · emesis · retching · cough reflex · spitting
swallow, swallowed, swallowing, swallows, swallowable, reflex, reflexes, reflexive, reflexively