What is the first phase of swallowing?

The first phase of swallowing is the oral preparatory phase. During this phase, food is taken into the mouth and prepared for swallowing. This preparation involves several critical actions, such as chewing and mixing the food with saliva, which helps to break down the food into a manageable consistency, known as a bolus.

In this phase, the tongue plays a vital role in manipulating food and ensuring it is adequately mixed with saliva. Additionally, it helps to gather the food into a cohesive mass, forming the bolus that is then ready for swallowing. Once this preparation is complete, the next phase, the oral transit phase, occurs, where the tongue pushes the bolus towards the back of the mouth to initiate the swallowing process. Understanding the oral preparatory phase is essential in recognizing how swallowing begins and the necessary steps that precede the actual swallowing of food.