Figure 1 - Relationship of deglutitive vocal cord kinetics to other events of the oropharyngeal phase of swallowing during 5-mL barium swallows.

Bolus transit through the pharynx and across the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) begins and ends while the vocal cords are at maximal adduction. TB-O, onset of tongue base movement; SH-O, onset of superior hyoid movement; SM-O, onset of submental myoelectrical activity; UESO, UES opening; OT-O, onset of bolus movement from the mouth; PT-O, arrival of bolus into pharynx. (Source: Shaker et al.¹ with permission from American Gastroenterological Association)