Laryngeal Closure in Swallowing of Healthy Elderly and Dysphagic patients. Kinematic Analysis Using 320-Row Area Detector CT

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We observed the laryngeal closure during swallowing using 320 Area Detector CT ofhealthy elderly and examined the effect of age on the movements involved inswallowing. Swallowing of dysphagic patients were also observed and thepathological conditions underlying disabilities were analyzed. Elderly showed alonger swallowing duration with longer pharyngeal constriction. It probably derivesfrom a compensation of weaker pharyngeal constriction with aging. Some dysphagicpatients showed aspiration during or after swallowing. It was found that a delayedonset of laryngeal closure caused the aspiration. Our results promoted theunderstanding of dynamic mechanisms of laryngeal closure during swallowing, whichhave not been thoroughly identified. In the next step, understanding of mechanismsof swallowing disorders and building of swallowing exercises are expected.