What is deglutition?

Deglutition refers specifically to the act of swallowing, which is a vital process in the digestive system where food is moved from the mouth to the esophagus. This process involves several coordinated actions, including the movement of the tongue and the closure of the epiglottis to prevent food from entering the trachea. Understanding deglutition is essential in fields like medicine and nutrition, as complications in this process can lead to conditions like dysphagia, where an individual has difficulty swallowing. Other options such as digestion, breathing, and absorption of nutrients involve different physiological processes that are distinct from the mechanical action of swallowing.