Figure 13 - Aspiration.

a: Frontal view of the pharynx demonstrates aspiration of retained bolus. Note that there is retention of contrast in the valleculae (v) and piriform sinuses (ps). No swallow is taking place, yet there is entry of contrast into the laryngeal vestibule (ve) and between the vocal folds and in the ventricle (arrows). (Source: Jones B, ed. Normal and Abnormal Swallowing: Imaging in Diagnosis and Therapy. New York: Springer-Verlag, 2003, with permission.) b: A stop-frame print from a cinepharyngogram in the lateral position shows incomplete laryngeal closure during swallowing with laryngeal penetration (arrows) and aspiration (arrowheads) down into the trachea. The bolus is passing through the open cricopharyngeus into the cervical esophagus. Degenerative change is noted in the cervical spine. (Source: Jones B, ed. Normal and Abnormal Swallowing: Imaging in Diagnosis and Therapy. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1991, with permission.)