Why does upward movement of larynx during swallowing not send food back to the m

[MedQuestions]

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Why does upward movement of larynx during swallowing not send food back to the mouth?
During swallowing, the larynx moves upward to close the glottis' opening to prevent food to enter the respiratory tract as the longitudinal muscles of the pharynx contact. But should the food not move upward at the same time as well?

 

[WDeagle]

Why does upward movement of larynx during swallowing not send food back to the mouth?
During swallowing, the larynx moves upward to close the glottis' opening to prevent food to enter the respiratory tract as the longitudinal muscles of the pharynx contact. But should the food not move upward at the same time as well?

Because the food is in the esophagus and not the larynx

 

[MedQuestions]

The larynx is raised upward by the contraction of the longitudinal muscles of the pharynx. Why does the contraction of longitudinal muscles of the pharynx not propel the food bolus upward as well?

 

[SpecterGT260]

The food has not reached that point yet. If the food were at (or below in the case of "in the esophagus") there wouldn't be any point in closing the glottis anyways. It would be too late. The contraction happens downstream from the food bolus so rather than everything moving up think of it as the pharynx squishing itself up towards the food bolus. This action also tends to dilate a tube facilitating entry. The longitudinal muscles of Peristalsis of the gut operate in a similar way

To be more specific, the bolus hangs out in the oropharynx. The laryngopharynx contracts upwards and takes the larynx along for the ride.

Think about it like a Chinese finger trap and your finger is the bolus

 

[WDeagle]

The food has not reached that point yet. If the food were at (or below in the case of "in the esophagus") there wouldn't be any point in closing the glottis anyways. It would be too late. The contraction happens downstream from the food bolus so rather than everything moving up think of it as the pharynx squishing itself up towards the food bolus. This action also tends to dilate a tube facilitating entry. The longitudinal muscles of Peristalsis of the gut operate in a similar way

To be more specific, the bolus hangs out in the oropharynx. The laryngopharynx contracts upwards and takes the larynx along for the ride.

Think about it like a Chinese finger trap and your finger is the bolus

This.