Figure 1.
The upper aerodigestive tract has two primary functions: breathing and swallowing. (A) Upper aerodigestive tract valves positioned (open) for directing airflow through systems. (B) Upper aerodigestive tract valves positioned (closed) for safely directing bolus flow. (Adapted from Easy to Swallow, Easy to Chew Cookbook: Over 150 Tasty and Nutritious Recipes for People Who Have Difficulty Swallowing by Weihofen D, Robbins J, and Sullivan PA. 2002, with permission of John Wiley & Sons, Inc.)