THE INFLUENCE OF LOINS VOLUME AND VISCOSITY ON ANTERIOR LINGUAL FORCEDURING THE ORAL STAGE OF SWALLOWING

The influence of bolus volume and viscosity on the distribution of ant erior lingual force during the oral stage of swallowing was investigat ed using a new force transducer technology. The maximum force amplitud es from 5 normal adults were measured simultaneously at the mid-anteri or, right, and left lateral tongue margins during 10 volitional swallo ws of 5-, 10-, and 20-ml volumes of water, applesauce, and pudding. Re sults indicated significant increases in peak force amplitude as visco sity increased. Volume did not significantly influence maximum lingual force amplitudes. Individual subjects demonstrated consistent pattern s of asymmetrical force distribution across the lingual margins tested . The results suggest that bolus-specific properties influence the mec hanics of oral stage lingual swallowing. This finding has important cl inical implications in the assessment and treatment of dysphagic indiv iduals.