NEUROMUSCULAR ACTIVITY OF THE PHARYNX DURING SWALLOWING

人类的吞咽生理学是复杂的， 明白 本项目的目标是分析 推进吞下的药丸的神经肌肉机制 通过咽进入食道 这项工作很重要 因为吞咽障碍引起显著的发病率， mortality. 咽食管（PE）段的功能是 是吞咽过程的关键部分 这一段， 包括下咽的下部和下咽的上部 当颈部食道的一部分关闭时， 咽处于静止状态，但在吞咽期间打开， 推注的通道。 我们将研究这种活动的机制 通过详细分析咽壁运动和肌电 咽部肌肉的活动。 将同时进行两方面的研究。 一是 咽壁运动的精确视频X线摄影测量 使用不透射线的吸盘标记。 初步研究已经 显示不透射线标记技术显示了大的 头尾移位， 传统的吞钡放射摄影。 的计算机系统 数字化和处理这样的标记运动记录将 用于分析这些数据，然后将该技术用于 咽和PE段的详细研究。 研究的第二条线是使用视频放射摄影， 结合某些内在的肌电图， 咽部的外部肌肉来分析这些肌肉 产生吞咽的动作。 肌肉的作用将 通过分析之间的时间关系来研究 肌电活动和运动。 之间的协同作用 下咽缩肌和悬雍垂肌 咽和喉的肌肉在控制运动的体育 部分将是这次调查的一个特别重点。 这项研究将阐明正常吞咽的生理学 并开发适用于研究异常 吞咽

The physiology of swallowing in man is complex and poorly understood. The objective of this project is analysis of the neuromuscular mechanism by which a swallowed bolus is propelled through the pharynx into the esophagus. This work is important since disorders of swallowing cause significant morbidity and mortality. The function of the pharyngoesophageal (PE) segment is a critical part of the process of swallowing. This segment, encompassing the lower portion of the hypopharynx and the upper portion of the cervical esophagus, is closed actively when the pharynx is at rest but opens during swallowing to permit the passage of the bolus. We will study the mechanism of this activity by detailed analysis of pharyngeal wall motions and of myoelectric activity in the muscles of the pharynx. Two concurrent lines of research will be pursued. The first is precise video-radiographic measurement of pharyngeal wall motions using radiopaque suction cup markers. Preliminary studies have shown that the radiopaque marker technique demonstrates large cephalocaudal displacements which were not appreciated with traditional barium swallow videoradiography. A computer system for digitizing and processing such marker motion recordings will be used to analyze these data and the technique will then be used for detailed study of the pharynx and PE segment. The second line of research is the use of videoradiography in combination with electromyography of certain intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the pharynx to analyze the way these muscles produce the motions of swallowing. The roles of the muscles will be studied by analyzing the temporal relationship between myoelectric activity and motion. The synergism between the inferior pharyngeal constrictors and the suspensory (or elevator) muscles of the pharynx and larynx in controlling motion of the PE segment will be a particular focus of this investigation. This research will both clarify the physiology of normal swallowing and develop techniques applicable to the study of abnormal swallowing.