Figure 4 - Selected stop-frame prints from a cinepharyngogram demonstrate several stages of a normal swallow.

a: The bolus (B) is retained in the mouth by apposition of the posterior aspect of the tongue and the relaxed soft palate (U). A small amount of contrast has been introduced through the nose and is coating the posterior nasopharyngeal wall and the superior portion of the soft palate. b: As the bolus is propelled into the oropharynx, the soft palate elevates to a right angle and apposes to the converging posterior pharyngeal wall, Passavant's cushion (pc). c: The soft palate (U), posterior pharyngeal wall, and dorsum of the tongue (T) remain closely in contact until the bolus has cleared from the oropharynx. The proximal stripping wave (sw) has begun. d: The posterior stripping wave (sw) has become more pronounced and is proceeding distally. The epiglottis has completely inverted and the vestibule is closed as the bolus passes through the hypopharynx. Note the closed larynx with the appearance of the conus (arrow) and the tracheal air column (T). The cricopharyngeus is completely open to allow easy passage of the bolus. There is a tiny amount of contrast in the entry to the vestibule, which is extruded as swallowing proceeds. e: The stripping wave (sw) has proceeded further. There is a small amount of bolus (B) still trapped in the hypopharynx. The larynx is still closed. (a-d: Source: Jones B, Kramer SS, Donner MW. Dynamic imaging of the pharynx. Gastrointest Radiol 1985;10:213–224, with permission of the authors.)